Dads and Diapers

Dads and Diapers — A Workshop to Help Fathers Make Sense of Parenthood Chaos

Parenthood is supposed to be magical. But let’s be honest — for many dads, it feels like chaos. The baby’s crying, the house is a mess, and your once-happy partner now seems like a completely different person. You’re wondering, "Is this normal? Am I doing enough? Why is she always mad at me?"

The Dads and Diapers workshop dives straight into these common frustrations and helps fathers navigate the messy, emotional, and often overwhelming world of early parenting.

Common Complaints from Dads

1. “She’s Always Angry. I Can’t Do Anything Right.”
You’ve probably noticed that your partner’s patience has vanished. Suddenly, everything feels like a critique:

“You didn’t hold the baby right.”

“Why didn’t you know we were out of wipes?”

“You sleep through the night while I’m up with the baby.”

2. “I Feel Like a Helper, Not a Partner.”
Many fathers feel like they’ve been demoted to an assistant in their own home. The mother seems to handle everything with the baby, leaving dads unsure of what they’re supposed to do.

3. “I Never Get Time to Myself Anymore.”
Before the baby, you had hobbies, downtime, and maybe even a social life. Now, you barely have time to shower, and if you try to take a break, you feel guilty.

4. “She Acts Like the Baby is All That Matters.”
Many fathers feel like their relationship with their partner has changed. Conversations revolve around the baby, intimacy is on hold, and you’re feeling like a third wheel.

What You'll Get from This Workshop:

Clarity on your role as a father — beyond just changing diapers.
Communication tools to avoid constant conflict with your partner.
Strategies to bond with your baby in meaningful ways.
Support for managing your emotional well-being and avoiding burnout.

Let’s Be Honest…

Fatherhood isn’t always what you imagined. It’s messy, frustrating, and sometimes lonely. But it’s also an incredible opportunity to build stronger relationships — with your child, your partner, and yourself.

Join Dads and Diapers and start making sense of the madness.

Module 1:

The Transition to Fatherhood — Understanding Your New Role

Overview:
Becoming a father is a significant life transition. Many fathers feel unprepared for the emotional and practical changes, which can lead to feelings of inadequacy or exclusion. This module helps fathers understand their unique role in the family dynamic.

Topics Covered:

The psychological impact of becoming a father
The changing identity: From partner to parent
Breaking down myths about fatherhood (e.g., fathers are less important in early parenting)
Understanding the importance of a father’s presence from day one

Module 2:

The Invisible Parent — Overcoming the Feeling of Being Left Out

Overview:

Many fathers report feeling sidelined in the early months after birth, particularly if the mother is breastfeeding or the baby seems more attached to her. This module focuses on strategies for fathers to feel more involved and valued.

Topics Covered:

Why fathers often feel excluded in early parenting
Understanding why mothers may instinctively take over tasks
How to create opportunities for bonding with the baby
Balancing traditional gender roles and modern expectations in parenting

Module 3:

Emotional Well-being for Fathers

Overview:
Fatherhood comes with emotional highs and lows, but fathers often struggle to express their feelings or recognize the emotional toll. This module explores mental health challenges for dads and ways to cope.

Topics Covered:

Recognizing and managing stress, anxiety, and frustration
Understanding postnatal depression in fathers
The importance of self-care and emotional awareness
How fathers' emotional well-being impacts their child’s development

Module 4:

Father-Child Bonding — Building a Lifelong Connection

Overview:
Fathers play a crucial role in shaping their child's emotional, social, and cognitive development. This module highlights the importance of early bonding and how to maintain that connection as the child grows.

Topics Covered:

The role of fathers in early attachment and emotional security
Practical ways to bond with a newborn (even without breastfeeding)
How fathers influence a child’s emotional development
Building meaningful traditions and rituals with your child

Module 5:

The Co-Parenting Partnership — Working as a Team

Overview:
Parenting can put a strain on relationships, especially if fathers feel undervalued or unsure of their role. This module focuses on strengthening the couple’s relationship to create a supportive parenting partnership.

Topics Covered:

The impact of parenthood on romantic relationships
How to avoid feeling like a “third wheel”
Effective communication strategies for co-parenting
Dividing parenting responsibilities fairly

Module 6:

The Long-Term Vision — Fatherhood Beyond the First Year

Overview:
Fatherhood is a lifelong journey. This module encourages fathers to think beyond the newborn stage and consider their long-term impact on their child’s life.

Topics Covered:

The evolving role of a father as a child grows
Creating a strong father-child bond through different life stages
Teaching values, emotional resilience, and life skills
Preparing for future challenges