First-time dad Chris Goodman hopes a new group for dads in Marlborough which encourages them to get more involved with their children will catch on.
Mr Goodman is a member of Active Dads Marlborough, run through the Marlborough branch of Barnardos.
The group was a forum for dads to talk, swap parenting advice and to ask questions, he said.
"A lot of dads get a bit scared. The traditional thinking is mums always look after the children."
He and wife Chloe have a six-week-old son, Jack, and had a lot of questions before he was born.
"One thing this group is good for is for new people in Blenheim. If you don't know many people, you can't really ask questions and compare notes."
Mr Goodman, who works for Sport Tasman, is originally from Nelson and spent the past four years in living in Canada.
Part of his job was working with parents, teachers and children at early childhood centres, so being around children came easy to him.
However, he could see how being around children and looking after them could be difficult for some dads.
"You don't have to be so careful you don't interact at all."
Promoting the group would hopefully encourage other dads to join, go to events together with their children, meet people and have a support network, he said.
It would not be difficult to entice other dads to join if the group held events they would actually enjoy going to.
"Men shouldn't be afraid of taking their kids out and hanging out," he said.
Check out the Active Dads Marlborough website
- The Marlborough Express
SIMON WONG
Cheers! That's a good idea! I'll suggest it to the organiser.
Go Chrissy! Such a good photo of you two....but mainly of Jack because he's just so damn cute!
this is such a good idea .. even dads need support! have you thought about starting a facebook group as well?
this is such a good idea .. even dads need support! have you thought about starting a facebook group as well?
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