3:00 pm olathe Sweet Corn Festival Park
Transcription
3:00 pm olathe Sweet Corn Festival Park
Men in the Mix presents the 2008 Fatherhood Forum Don’t miss the... Food Karaoke Games Popcorn Dunk Tank Race Cars Photos Face Painting & MORE!!! Plus, you’ll learn great tips and tricks to make yourself a better parent! Saturday June 7, 2008 10:00 am - 3:00 pm Olathe Sweet Corn Festival Park Calling all dads, grandpas, uncles, brothers and any other male role model and their children and families. Don’t miss this fun and interactive event - you’ll learn, laugh and bond with your child. “ ” Quotables What’s the most fun part of being a dad? Bill Patterson Montrose County Commissioner “For me, the most fun was watching them grow into adults. Of course, some times were more distressing than fun.” Gary Ellis Montrose County Commissioner “I believe the “most fun part” is the sharing of experiences as they are growing up. As you share these experiences, you build memories.” Allen Belt, Montrose County Commissioner “I have two daughters who are definitely the apple of my eye. It has been so much fun loving them and helping them as they go through the different stages in life.” Rick Dunlap Montrose County Sheriff “The most fun part of being a dad was watching my kids grow up to become responsible adults utilizing the values that I instilled in each of them.” Steve Woody Montrose Daily Press Publisher “The best thing about fatherhood is that they include me in their lives. It is a beauty unlike any other.” Empowering DADS dren. Three uniquely talented coaches work within How important is dear old Dad? In those “Leave the program to enable Dad to think about strategic it to Beaver” days fifty years ago, Dad was the un- planning for dealing with life’s challenges. Those seen breadwinner, the man who rushed out the door as coaches, Cynthia Harwood, Britt Parks and Chris Mom was getting the kids ready for school, the man Martin, also pull together group support for Dads and who returned home at the end of the day, sometimes create experiential opportunities for Dads and kids. as Mom was putting the children to bed, the man who But reconnecting is often more involved than simply sat watching sports on TV on the weekends while spending time with kids. The Empowering Dads proMom shuttled children around town for Little League gram is also prepared to address the many legal issues and ballet. Dad was the Supreme Authority on all that may have entered the picture when Dad originally matters of discipline, as in, “wait until your Father fell away from the family. And certainly Empowering gets home!” Dad’s was the voice to be feared on long Dads recognizes education does not stop with the last car trips when Mom handed over the mantle of ref- day of school. The program focuses on such necessary eree for fights in the back seat. Dad was the guy who educational areas as teaching parenting skills, teaching would throw the footskills for avoiding drug ball to you in the back and alcohol misuse, yard—for about twelve teaching all important minutes. Although Dad life skills for healthier was frequently a distant choices in life and teachfigure in the American ing skills for managing home of fifty years ago, stress and anger. he was at least a figure Dear old Dad is facin the home. ing a different world Between 1960 and than the world of fifty 1980 the divorce rate years ago. He is likely in the United States to no longer be the sole nearly tripled. Curbreadwinner. Many rently about a million factors in today’s world children each year in clearly make divorce this country will have an easier option. The to deal with divorcing cost of raising a famparents. Dad may no ily seems to grow more longer be in the home. daunting every day. And Thirty-four percent yet the one constant is of American children the unconditional love will grow up in a home a child is willing to lavwithout their biological ish on Dad, if Dad will father. Twenty-seven only give that child the percent of American Empowering Dads of Montrose County works to strengthen the re- chance. Empowering children live in sin- lationship between fathers and their children. The most simple way Dads is here to make gle parent households. that happen. The consequences for to reconnect is by spending time with your child - play their favorite • Funding for this project these children can be game or stretch your imagination during a tea party. Above: A local was provided by the Unitdevastating. The chil- dad offers support and praise to his son during soccer practice. ed States Department of dren without a biologiHealth and Human Servphoto by Becky Roberg ices, Administration for cal father in the home are two to three times Children and Families, as likely to be poor, use drugs and experience edu- Grant: 90FR0079/01. cational problems, health problems and emotional or • Any opinions, finding, and conclusions or recommendabehavioral problems. Those children are also more tions expressed in this material are those of the author(s) likely to be the victims of child abuse or to engage and do not necessarily reflect the views of the United States in criminal behavior than are their peers who have a Department of Health and Human Services, Administration father in the home. Reconnecting Dads and kids may for Children and Families. be a great idea for Dads, kids and our whole society. • Sponsored by Montrose County Health & Human ServEmpowering Dads is working in Montrose to re- ices. build that vital relationship between Dad and his chilBy Richard Gingery, M. D. FatherhoodFacts A Brief History of Fatherhood Eighteenth and Early Nineteenth Centuries - The Moral Overseer Fathers were viewed as the family’s ultimate source of moral teaching and worldly judgments. A moral pedagogue, the father instructed children of both sexes in what God as well as the world expected of them. While relationships between these fathers and their children, especially sons, were strong, fathers tended to restrain their emotions and express approval rather than affection. Early Nineteenth to Mid-Twentieth Centuries - The Distant Breadwinner With the ‘Industrial Revolution’ came shifts in paternal work patterns, and new conceptions of parent-child relationships that included a greater role for the mother and a decreased, more indirect role for the father. In contrast to earlier periods, a father’s work was increasingly outside the immediate household, and responsibility for the domestic sphere shifted toward mothers. The father continued to set the official standard of morality and to be the final arbiter of family discipline, but he did so at more of a remove than before. Post World War II to Mid-1960s - The Sex Role Model To combat the perceived problems of maternal influence and father absence, fathers during this period had more active involvement in the family unit. Still a distant breadwinner, fathers influenced family by clearly delineating and demonstrating gender differences that supported stereotypical conceptions of masculinity and femininity. During this time, it was thought that fathers should not be directly involved in the birth of their children. An obstetrician asserted in 1964 that whether he is “short, thin, or fat, of any race, color, or creed,” an expectant father “tends to pace, chain smoke, and talk to himself out loud.” 1970s – 1980s – 1990s - The New Father While all of the father types of the past, especially that of distant breadwinner, exist among the fathers of recent decades, new alternatives to traditional roles have emerged. As a result of the women’s movement, and to a changing economic climate that often made it impossible for one parent to be the sole breadwinner, numerous shifts occurred in father’s behaviors, including: being present for the birth of their children, being involved with infant children, participating in actual day-to-day childcare work and equal involvement with daughters as well as sons. 2001 & Beyond - A Fatherhood Odyssey The emergence of a growing “Father’s Movement” reflects a re-thinking of past roles and the creation of new approaches to fathering. Men, women, and children – in families and in practice – are contributing to this ongoing odyssey and are benefiting from the increased and enhanced involvement of fathers in all aspects of family life. Adapted from Pleck, J.H (1985), American Fathering in Historical Perspective and further Adapted by Doug Gertner P.H.D, Emu Consulting, Appreciating and Working with Colorado Fathers: Meeting the Challenges of Supporting Fathers, Mothers, Children and Families, (2007). Fatherlessness in America • An estimated 24.7 million children (36.3%) live absent their biological father. Source: National Fatherhood Initiative, Father Facts, (3rd Ed.): 5 • 63% of youth suicides are from fatherless homes. Source: US Department of Health and Human Services, Bureau of Census • 90% of all homeless and runaway children are from fatherless homes. Source: US Department of Health and Human Services, Bureau of Census • 85% of all children that exhibit behavioral disorders come from fatherless homes. Source: Center for Disease Control • 80% of rapists motivated with displaced anger come from fatherless homes. Source: Criminal Justice & Behavior, vol. 14, pg. 403-426 • 71% of all high school dropouts come from fatherless homes. Source: National Principals Association Reports on the State of High Schools • 70% of all juveniles in state operated institutions come from fatherless homes. Source: US Department of Justice, Special Report, Sept. 1988 • 85% of all youths sitting in prisons grew up in a fatherless home. Source: Fulton County, Georgia jail populations; Texas Department of Corrections, 1992 • The average man living at home spends 12 minutes a day with his children. Source: James Levine, “Working Fathers” 1997, 23-24 Life’s a Jungle... Hang with Dad for a Day Schedule of Events Saturday, June 7, 2008 • 10:00 - 3:00 pm 10:00 - 10:30 am Welcome 10:30 am - 12:30 pm Face Painting 11:00 am - 12:00 pm Magic Circle Players production of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory 11:00 am - 2:30 pm Lunch - Hot dogs & Hamburgers 12:00 - 1:00 pm Story telling by Carol McDermott 10:00 - 2:45 pm Karaoke with Mike Goodman All Day Activities - 10:30 - 3:00 pm Bubbles Animal Sponges Play Ground Games Bean Bag Toss Tattoos (washable) Photo Gallery Shaving Cream Fun Model Airplanes Climbing Wall Dunk Tank Apple Bobbing Race Cars Pepsi Hot Dog Wagon Popcorn Race Cars Photo Buttons Don’t miss our 3 Grand Pr ize Giveaw 3 Great Grand Prize packages will be given away throughout the day. You must be present to win! ays perfec t for Dad! The Grill M aster The No-Spe ctator Sportsman The Great Outdoorsm an Encouraging Dads to Get Involved Montrose County RE-1J Early Childhood Centers making a difference The Montrose County RE-1J Early Childhood Centers has been a pioneer for over fourteen years in implementing fatherhood involvement activities in the community. The activities were well received thus identifying a need in the community for fatherhood involvement organization. The program encourages “fathers”—biological dads, step-dads, grandfathers, uncles and other men significant in the lives of their preschool children--to get a good start in being involved with their child and his school. Research and common sense show that children benefit in all areas of their social, emotional, educational, and physical growth when they have a positive and active male role model. The MSCD RE-1J Early Childhood Centers have been encouraging “dads” to spend time growing with and enjoying their children. Men volunteer in the classrooms and participate in a special Guy’s Night and Guy’s Week annually. In the past three years in addition to the “traditional activities for men”, a once a month Saturday morning Guys and Tykes provided an additional opportunity for guys to build memories with their children—preschoolers as well as siblings. It is hoped that involving fathers at this early stage will begin a life-long interaction between the “dads” and the schools that will assist families in educating their children. During the activities, dads and children are head-to head or cuddled together as they build birdhouses, search for pretend dinosaur bones, decorate cookies, make a Hug-a-Tree safety kit, or fly a kite. At gymnastics’ day, tiny tots, given loving encouragement by cheering “dads”, swing fearlessly on a rope and jump into a pile of foam squares. Everyone listens attentively as friendly policemen demonstrate safety and rules at a bike rodeo. Teams of men and kids brave a brisk fall day for a game of ultimate football. Guys and Tykes also have two “whole” family events each year. The Division of Wildlife volunteers and staff provide all the equipment needed for a fishing derby which is well attended by over a hundred people. The second family day is Water and Books as an end event where children pick books for their summer reading and also do pool play after a water safety activity. The Early Childhood Centers program recognizes that the success of the fatherhood activities is due in great part by the support and encouragement of the moms. MCSD RE-1J Early Childhood Centers organized the first “Men in the Mix Fatherhood Forum” in January 2007. Other community organizations that valued fatherhood banned together with the Early Childhood Centers to host the second event in September 2007. The third annual “Men in the Mix” is being planned by seven organizations and interested individuals from Grand Junction to Alamosa who strongly believe in the value of a strong father/child relationship. The Montrose RE-1J Early Childhood Center focuses on involving fathers early in their child’s lives to foster life-long participation and enjoyment. photo courtesy of http://www.estateplanningorganizer. com/aff/popup/images/father_reading.jpg Families are Priority at Hilltop Hilltop’s mission and vision is to provide leadership for community-based services that foster self-sufficiency and enrich quality of life. We work to fulfil our mission everyday through management of 21 community-based programs serving 20,000 people annually in Mesa, Delta, Montrose and Ouray counties. These programs range from pre-natal services to assisted and retirement living communities. At Hilltop, we are not only dedicated to serving the underserved or those not served, but we continue to do our work with 11 other partnerships that originated from gaps in the services that people in our community need. We strive to help people so that they can better help themselves. Everyone occasionally needs a hand up and through our programs and partnerships; we strive to accomplish this everyday. Hilltop Tandem Families is one of these programs. Tandem Families is a family-to-family mentoring program that supports children and families experiencing challenging circumstances. This program provides mentoring, advocacy, legal support, mental health services, nurturing parenting classes, school support and teen groups. In addition, Tandem Families staff collaborates with schools, churches and numerous community-based organizations to support tandem families and natural families. Through this mentoring process, children who face extra struggles learn healthier social, behavioral and emotional skills. Put Men in the Mix A recipe for a great dad By Christopher Martin As a father, have you ever found yourself in one of those awkward situations where you look across a crowded McDonald’s playland at a toddler who is just having a classic meltdown? The child is screaming at the top of its lungs and doing everything within its control to connect a powerful kick to any available part of the adult anatomy. The father who is holding this angry child is talking to it softly, holding on gently, and cooing his way toward a calmer, happier child. All you can think is THAT is a recipe for a great dad. There probably isn’t any recipe, any concoction that makes for a perfect dad, but certain elements, in just the right amount and mixture can help brew a dad worthy of the name. The first part that needs to be added to the mix, in copious quantities, is time. And lots and lots of it! Time to sit on the floor until his knees ache building some new creation out of Lego blocks; “Oh, you’re right! It DOES look like a velociraptor!” Time to throw the ball. Time to read the same story, with the same silly voices, and enjoy its reading for the millionth time. These are essential ingredients to brewing up a great dad. A second ingredient to this concoction we call dad is love - unconditional love. Even when your 4 year old has carved her name into the side of your beautiful black car a great dad will respond with pride that her name is correctly spelled (and NOT with names we don’t want her to spell!). Dads on the verge of greatness love the sound of their children’s laughter and their playful theatrics. Love your children for who they are, what they want to be, and the individuals they become, and embrace the contribution that you made to their lives. To be truly successful one must make a contribution to the life of a child. A great dad treasures the small things. Share the thrill when your son or daughter discovers a real dinosaur bone in their own backyard and wants Men in the Mix Recipe Book 1 Happy Child INGREDIENTS: • 1 or more positive males (Flour of the Mix) • 1 or more nurturing females (Sugar of the Mix) • 1 or more supportive communities** • (Salt or preservative of the Mix) Other ingredients possible (Fruits of the Mix) ** Communities are: Schools, Churches, Neighbors, Extended Family Friends, and Community Organizations to use your good hammer for a digging tool! Help turn over rocks and see what lurks underneath and remain totally calm when they dump the contents of their “bug jars” onto the kitchen counter to look them over. A great dad will show restraint and NOT share with this beautiful child what you did with ants, and a magnifying glass, when you were her age. Probably best that mom doesn’t know what crawled all over the cutting block. It might upset her! Those great dads are involved in their children’s lives on every level. They know where their sons and daughters go after school and who their friends are. They know the name of their daughter’s teacher, what grade she’s in, the name of the school principal, and the best meal to eat in the cafeteria. Great dads coach their son’s soccer team and enjoy getting silly. They are kind and respectful of their child’s mother. They wrestle. Dads destined for greatness endure toenail polish because it makes their daughters smile. More than anything else in this recipe of brewing a great dad is a willingness and desire to be there. To be part of their children’s lives in every way possible from the basics of changing a diaper, to offering advice on a prom dress, to attending each and every basketball practice leading up to that big game. A great father is involved, loving, and compassionate. A great father can say “no” and mean it. A great father is able to admit his mistakes, make corrections and moves on. A great dad is comfortable saying, “I love you.” Recreation gets results Connecting families through recreation By Becky Roberg The Montrose Recreation District believes that a family that plays together, stays together. With this thought in mind, the recreation district offers numerous sports, adventures and other programs that encourage participation of the whole family. One of the most important roles played by parents at the Montrose Recreation District is that of volunteer coach. Each year, hundreds of parents step forward to coach youth sports such as soccer, basketball, baseball, softball and hockey. Coaching is a great opportunity for parents to take an active role in their children’s lives. They can learn the sport along with their child or teach them valuable lessons about teamwork and sportsmanship. The parents who play cheerleader on the sidelines are just as important. They offer support and encouragement despite what the scoreboard says. Success isn’t dependent upon winning. It’s dependent upon fun. The Montrose Recreation District welcomes moms, dads, uncles, grandmas and the whole gamut to be volunteer coaches, however men often find coaching an easy way to bond with their children. The realm of sports is a place of comfort for many fathers and volunteer coaching becomes a vehicle for positive parenting. With the emphasis placed on fun, the pressure to win is dimished. Therefore fathers focus on teaching skills, both physical and social, in a place they feel comfortable. Sports aren’t the only activities that promote parental involvement. The Montrose Recreation District offers numerous family adventures that include river rafting, fishing and trips to amusement parks. There’s no pressure to teach or lead during these trips. Parent’s and children alike have fun racing go-karts, getting wet on the river and reeling in the big fish. They learn together and often find common interests they never knew they had. The family adventure trips offer fathers and mothers a chance to kick off their working-parent role for a day and remember the joy of youth. They get to see life from a perspective that is easily forgotten after a 40 hour work week, 5 loads of laundry and paying bills. Being able to understand a child’s perspective is key to developing effective communication and trust. Through play, families learn from each other. Volunteer coaches teach life lessons about success, failure, teamwork and cooperation. Parents who cheer on the sidelines learn about their child’s likes and dislikes and show support no matter what the circumstances. At the recreation district good parents do more than tell their children what do to - they play, win, lose, laugh and cry right along with their child. Recreation makes it possible for families to come together and enjoy each other. This interaction opens communication and strengthens bonds. Families walk away healthier and happier, which is a big step in the right direction. Questions? Contact Becky Roberg, Community Relations Specialist, 249-7831 x18 or email [email protected]. “For a Better Quality of Life...MRD.” un Family F Leagues, Parties Birthday & more!! m ontrose.co rosebowlm The Montrose Recreation District provides a variety of programs that promote parent participation. One of the most popular is the Introduction to T-Ball Clinic. Parents are encouraged to work with their youngster, helping them learn new skills and drills. This involvement is a perfect chance for dad to step in and take an active role in their child’s development. photo by Becky Roberg • Summer • Savings • Shop • inSouth Montrose Thank You 2008 Fatherhood Forum Sponsors The Men in the Mix Committee: Health & Human Services Silver Sponsors Bronze Sponsors Contributors Alpine Bank, Wal-Mart, Bank of Colorado, Pepsi, McDonalds, Bank of the West, City Market