What Dads Want: Easing the Transition into Fatherhood

Being a dad is one of life’s most rewarding experiences, but the transition to fatherhood can be very difficult. Dads often struggle with this major life change, made even more isolating without any dedicated support.

A 2019 Movember research study has found that mental health is the most difficult topic for men to discuss—beating out finances and relationships. Traditionally, fathers are considered the pillar of the household, which makes it harder to admit when dads need help. The truth is that dads need support too, especially in the beginning stages of parenthood, when postpartum depression is likely to appear in new families.

Research shows Canadian dads care about their fatherhood role and want to be involved, supportive parents—a mission that is only possible when dads feel they have the skills and confidence to engage with their children, the ability to balance home and work responsibilities, and the resources needed to provide a caring, stable home. Positively involved dads help their children with brain development, which is paramount to developing learning and language ability. Research shows that fathers who are sensitive and less anxious have infants who score higher in mental development.

With resources created for dads, by dads, Dad Central has a vision of a world where dads can access the support they need, creating a new generation of children who have access to involved, responsible, and devoted dads, easing their adjustment to one day becoming parents themselves.

Dad Central is also developing new digital courses that are simple, practical, and relevant for the unique challenges of being a father, encouraging dads to be more positively involved in creating healthy families.

Dad Central exists due to their project partner and host organization, the George Hull Centre for Children and Families in Toronto, as well as support from the Public Health Agency of Canada.
To better serve dads, Dad Central relies on the generous support of partners like Dove Men+Care.

Dove Men+Care believes in celebrating the importance of care. Caring for himself helps him be his best but recognizing that care for others is the best a man can offer. To help men care for others, Dove Men+Care partners with Dad Central to provide a variety of tools for Canadian Dads, including webinars, trainings, and resources.

Despite the overwhelming validation for the importance of dads to the lives of children, there is no federal funding dedicated to supporting fathers. So we need your help!

Learn more and donate at dadcentral.ca, and sign up for the FREE Fatherhood Fundamentals course at dadcentral.ca/fatherhood-fundamentals