For some, a Who Let The Dads Out? group is just a starting point. Here are a few ideas for how you could develop further support for dads:
Weekly football
Get the dads together once a week to play football and then meet somewhere afterwards to enjoy a drink and a chat. Organise occasional friendly matches against other teams. If the results don’t go your way, just try to enjoy the chance to have a run around while you still can! If you have a group of dads with children aged about 7 upwards, then you could organise dads, lads & lasses football sessions.
Share a meal together
Eating together is one of the best ways of getting to know people better and for having discussions in a relaxed atmosphere. You could arrange a regular meal out (even if only a couple of times per year), such as a curry night or a big breakfast or brunch.
Men and Boys Sunday breakfast
Churches often find that, as they get older, boys, in particular, can lose interest in Sunday morning church. Gathering together for a Men & Boys Sunday breakfast in a local café and then walking on to church together can be fun and a purposeful way to keep boys engaged with the church.
Open the doors to mums/female carers
Once in a while (maybe yearly) invite the mums along to a Who Let The Dads Out? session so that they can see what goes on. Be aware of any single dads in your group and make sure you discuss this with them before you start to advertise it. You could even make it a more general ‘bring a guest session’ and then the dads can have the freedom to decide who to invite.
Go on an outing
Arrange a day trip to the seaside or other attraction for the dads and children. You could even invite their wives/partners/guests too. Perhaps, if it’s possible, use train travel and suggest meeting at the railway station so you don’t have to worry about how many will turn up and booking transport.
Hold a testimony event
Organise and invite dads along to an event with an evangelistic element. For example, you could invite them to join you at an Alpha supper. Or perhaps there are men’s breakfasts, with speakers, running in your area. Perhaps you could arrange your own event, specifically for the dads in your group. Make sure they know what they are coming to in advance so they don’t feel ambushed by the Christian message.
Set a fundraising challenge
The dads may enjoy a competitive challenge to raise money for a good cause. It could be a bike ride, a fun run or a mountain hike – something that captures their imaginations. You could do it to swell group funds, or to contribute to the church, a local charity or Care for the Family.
Run a parenting programme
We have a range of great parenting programmes you could use with the dads, including:
The Dad Connection – a five session programme about roles, life and legacy.
Time Out for Parents: Dads – five sessions on the importance of dads and helping you build an even better relationship with your children. Please note that Time Out for Parents Course leaders must train to become licensed facilitators..
Parentalk – off-the-shelf video-based parenting programmes for the primary and teenage years.
Let to Their Own Devices – a one-off video-based 90-minute session to help parents address the challenges of the online world.
A Mind of Their Own – a one-off video-based 2-hour session to help parents strengthen their children’s emotional wellbeing.
