Men’s Health Week: Breaking Down the Dad barrier
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This Men’s Health Week (13-19 June), Triple P parenting experts are encouraging dads to be brave and break down the barriers to seeking help, so their children can reap the rewards of a happy, healthy parent.
Triple P International Head of Training and Associate Professor of Clinical Psychology at The University of Queensland, AlanRalph, said that fathers and father-figures are experiencing increased levels of anxiety and stress due to the compounding nature of the pandemic, natural disasters, and cost of living, which in-turn, impact their family relationships.
“Balancing work and family, changes in employment, and financial strain are having a significant impact on the mental health and wellbeing of both parents and children,” Dr Ralph said.
“But, by being open about the struggles you’re having and accessing support, we’re better able to provide our children with a positive and loving home where they can
strengthen their emotional resilience and thrive,” he said.
“Men’s Health Week is a great time to not only check-in on your mental and physical health but also how you’re feeling in your role as a father and if you need some parenting tools to support your child’s long-term success.
“Children are more likely to develop good language, social and relationship skills when their parents or caregivers spend quality time reading and talking with them, and respond to their behaviour in sensitive ways,” Dr Ralph said.
“Talking about our own mental health and struggles as parent can be hard – and that’s normal. The Triple P Positive Parenting Program helps dads understand that they’re not alone and provides practical strategies to help them raise confident and resilient children.
“With so much help available for dads via online programs or video meet-ups, getting parenting tips has never been easier and can be done in the comfort of your own home, on your commute, or in your lunch break,” he said.
Triple P’s Top Five Tips to Breaking Down the Dad Barrier
- Seek out support and resources to give you the tools that best suit your needs as a parent.
- Take care of your own mental health and well-being and do things you enjoy.
- Share your fatherhood journey with your family – a great reminder of why you became a father in the first place, plus children love hearing stories involving them.
- Spend quality time with your child listening to what they have to say, playing with them, sharing a joke (or two!), and hugging them to show you love them.
- Create positive family memories by being present and taking the time to smile, laugh and enjoy everyday things with your family.
“We all want our children to grow up safe and feeling loved and cared for. Dads will find there’s lots of easy to use and proven strategies for guiding their children’s development in calm and supportive ways,” Dr Ralph said.
Lourdes Antenor is an experienced writer who specialises in the not-for-profit sector and its affiliations. She is the content producer for Third Sector News, an online knowledge-based platform for and about the Australian NFP sector.
