Fathers helping fathers

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Ramon A. Adelan
  • 9th Reconnaissance Wing Public Affairs

The Family Advocacy Program gave several fathers the opportunity to participate in a “Dads 101” course April 22, 2016, at Beale Air Force Base, California.

The course is designed to assist all fathers; soon to be, new and multiple children fathers with pre and post-birth of their newborn.

“It’s a great course for fathers, it gives them an idea of what to expect,” said Staff Sgt. Daniel Mendez, 9th Reconnaissance Wing Equal Opportunity director and Dads 101 instructor. “This is an opportunity to meet other fathers who are going through the same part of life, to grow together and have a support system.”

Some of the topics the course covers are diaper changing, handling newborns, building attachment and ways to assist their partners.

“This is my first child and I have absolutely no idea about being a dad,” said Senior Airman Frank Dunn, 9th Medical Operation Squadron mental health technician. “I have read books and found other sources with my wife , but I couldn’t find anything that relates to me. The course really helped with being more personable and made it easier to comprehend.”

In addition, the course provided information on sudden infant death (SIDS), shaken baby syndrome and post-partum disorder.

“When my first daughter was born, she didn’t come with an instruction manual, so I didn’t know my role, I didn’t know where I fit in and I didn’t know how to help my wife,” said Master Sgt Christopher Case, Airman and Family Readiness Center readiness non-commissioned officer and Dads 101 instructor. “I didn’t go through a course, but now after having five children, I would like to impart that knowledge that I learned by experience to these fathers, so they have more confidence going into being a dad than I did.”