In our modern day family life it’s just as common for dads to do the childcare as mums. I see a lot of dads at classes that I do with my children and I know a lot more female friends who have returned to work while their partners do the childcare, or they have split it. Once a month I go to the Hull Women and Children’s Expectant Parent Nights and meet some mums and dads-to-be and give them advice on where to go and what to do with babies in our area. The dads are very keen to find out where they can take their soon to arrive bundle of joy and where there will be other men to talk to so I’m on a mission to hunt out the classes and groups that have specific sessions for dads or a lot of dads attending.
If you’re a Dad, walking into a playgroup full of strangers (often mums) can be daunting. All classes and groups that I list on Mumbler are welcoming to male and female carers but some can be full of women and be quite intimidating. And it’s not just dads too but grandads that look after their grandchildren that want places to go. I take my 3 year old to pre-school gymnastics at our local leisure centre and there are 2 grandads there who bring their grand children each week. Some activities are naturally more male orientated and I see more male carers at things like football and rugby. We go to Footy Tots with my 3 year old and at least half the parents there are dads or grandads, we also tried out Rugby Tots and that was a lovely session with lots of dads. Swimming also seems to be gender neutral. But what if you have a daughter or a child who doesn’t want to do activities that dads would prefer to go to?
So when Janine who runs My Baby Can Dance told me she has lots of dads coming to her classes and is encouraging more to start I was delighted and wanted to share the info! My Baby Can Dance is a fun dance class suitable for 12 months to 4 years at venues across Hull and East Yorkshire. Early years education is combined with dance, movement and fun activities. It’s a class that I did with my daughter when she was younger and we both really enjoyed it (you can read a review I did of their Beverley class here). They also do Newborn Can Dance, movement and sensory suitable for birth to walking.
Janine has not only got a lot of dads coming to her classes with their girls and boys but she also interviewed one of her regular Hull dads to find out more. Here’s her interview……
What brought you to New Born Can Dance?
I first came to the Dance class with my wife and daughter. At first I wasn’t too sure due to it being mums and I thought it wouldn’t be welcoming. The first time I came with my wife and daughter Daisy I took a bit of a back seat and watched but I could see how much Daisy was enjoying herself.
So after attending Newborn Can Dance, did you want to go back?
I must admit I didn’t want to go back at first on my own as I thought I would get a different reception being the only father there in an all female group. I’ve heard stories of them being very cliquey, dad’s getting funny looks and even mums saying that dads shouldn’t be here. I didn’t find any of this, at all, to be true. Everyone in the group was very welcoming and approachable and some even asking me questions and advice on a wide variety of subjects to do with a 7 month old baby.
I saw and was overjoyed to see how the classes changed my daughter Daisy over time and how much she got out of the classes and her development was amazing to see. We both really enjoy the classes.
A top tip for a first time daddy?
Just go with it and expect the unexpected. Go in with open eyes and it’s not you that you are doing it for but to see the enjoyment of your child that they have using these classes. Over weeks you see the amazing development of your child growing and becoming one in their own.
So talk to people and don’t be shy, speak and join in and most of all have lots of fun.
Did you attend any antenatal classes?
Yes I did with my wife at the children’s centre in Beverley.
And finally, what would be at the very top of your ‘Dad’s Survival Guide’s ?
Always be prepared for any situation and always have the nappy bag ready.
There are lots of tips to give in my 7 months of being a father but most of all is just enjoy it, smile, laugh and be happy.
My Baby Can Dance and Newborn Can Dance have lots of dads attending their classes. All details about the classes are on their website here or you can email Janine on janinembcd@gmail.com. So if you’re a dad looking for a class or you’re a mum trying to find somewhere for your partner to go, they will be welcomed at My Baby Can Dance!
(NB this blog is Advertorial Content)
