As dads, our role can often feel in flux. Some of us may be primary carers, others are juggling parenting with the pressures of work. Either way, the old tropes about what men are “meant” to be can still weigh heavily as we try to build healthy, balanced relationships with our children, our partners, and our wider professional lives.
Many of us feel a deep desire to be present and connected with our children—sometimes in ways we longed for from our own fathers. But showing up like this on a regular basis can be hard, especially when other responsibilities leave us pulled in a million directions, with little space left for ourselves.
Deep down, we want to raise children who are connected with their emotions—children who grow into adults able to live fully, present with themselves and others. The struggle is, there’s no manual for how to do this, especially as a father. Often, we don’t even know how to find that sense of presence in ourselves, let alone model it for our kids.
And when their big emotions surface, things can feel even harder. We might want to avoid repeating the authoritarian or harmful patterns we experienced growing up, yet not know how to hold boundaries in healthier ways.
Sometimes we step back from boundary-setting altogether, which can leave us feeling disempowered or guilty. Other times, we end up snapping or exploding, only to feel worse afterwards. Add in the coping mechanisms we’ve relied on just to get through life, and it’s no surprise that meeting our children in their sadness, anxiety, or fear can feel hard to do.
This series is about shifting that sense of stuckness, uncertainty or overwhelm. Together, we’ll explore how to stay calm and present while holding clear boundaries—even when your child (or you) is swept away by strong emotions, or when outside pressures tempt you to switch off with them.
It’s about making the most of the time you do have, and building the foundations for a deeper, stronger relationship with your child.
Join an individual session or come to the full series to explore the tricky emotions and challenges of fatherhood, in a safe and supportive space with other dads.
Each session includes:
- Sharing real-life experiences with like-minded parents
- “Just enough” teaching on science-backed frameworks for understanding your and your child(ren)’s emotions and reactions
- Somatic, embodied practices to find calm and presence in difficult situations
- Prompts for self-reflection and journaling to take home
The following sessions are planned:
- Session 1: Anger - 23rd October, Thurs.
- Session 2: Disappointment - 12 November, Wed.
- Session 3: Grounded Presence - 27 November, Thurs.
- Session 4: Connection - 11 Dec, Thurs.
Credit to Ivan Finch for the photograph.
