Are You Up to the Challenge to Become a Great Dad? "West Shore Dads" is Here to Help!

In today's world, being a great dad is no easy task.  Many obstacles - such as a demanding job, divorce, a perceived lack of parenting skills, lack of role models, or not knowing where to turn for advice or help - prevent many fathers from realizing their fullest parenting potential.  It doesn't matter what kind of dad you are - whether you are a separated, divorced, widowed, stay-at-home, married, or working dad, and no matter your race, ethnicity, sexual-orientation or socio-economic background -  all dads face the same challenges in parenting and becoming a role model for their children.   West Shore Dads is a unique grass-roots support group created specifically for those men who want to become the best dads that they can be, not only to benefit their children, but to also improve the quality of their own lives. 

Research proves that a father is just as important in a child's life as their mother.  This is true for both sons and daughters. Fathers' rights advocate Warren Farrell, author of Father and Child Reunion and The Liberated Man, reports that equal dad involvement means children with fewer of the "5 D's" - drinking, drugs, depression, delinquency, and disobedience.  The value of an individual relationship between an involved father and his son or daughter will not merely help keep kids out of trouble, it will help produce immeasurable pleasures and joys that are treasured by both father and child.

To help dads surmount the obstacles facing them, West Shore Dads was founded to achieve the following goals:

- To help fathers develop their parenting skills
- To provide fathers an opportunity for friendship and networking
- To establish a lively venue for fathers to discuss books on parenting, or to listen to speakers on important parenting topics
- To help connect separated or divorced fathers with legal and mental health resources in the Greater Cleveland area
- To organize outings for fathers and/or their children (such as "Dads' Nights Outs", visits to local museums, sporting events, and outdoor recreational activities)
- To increase public awareness of the critical role fathers play in their child's development

Many local parenting groups tend to be dominated by moms.  While these groups are critically important and serve many purposes, dads involved in these groups can often find themselves the "odd-man-out."  West Shore Dads is designed specifically with men in mind.  While it is a well-known fact that many men are uncomfortable with reaching out for help,  or working in a group environment, West Shore Dads urges men to break free from their isolation, push their boundaries, and attend a meeting.  It will be well worth their time to learn from the advice and experiences of other men who share their exact situations, and who also deal with the same parenting challenges they face from day-to-day.

West Shore Dads seeks to empower all men with children to become a great dad! The meetings are conducted in a free-form, relaxed atmosphere, and sharing of ideas and perspectives is encouraged. Topics of discussion will include building healthy self-esteem in kids, effective and positive discipline, instilling healthy values, implementing strategies for better father-child communication, sharing ideas for spending quality time, self-care for fathers, and many other topics.  Hands-on demonstrations and expert lectures are also planned for some meetings.  Please join us!

West Shore Dads meets on the first and third Monday of every month in the Lakewood Family Room (17400 Northwood Avenue).  There is no cost for admission, and free refreshments are provided.  Dads of all types are welcome (while the focus is on dads with kids aged 0-12, dads of teenagers are also welcome).  Occasional Saturday outings scheduled throughout the coming year. 

West Shore Dads operates in collaboration with the Lakewood Division of Human Services and the Department of Early Childhood.  Its home-base is in Lakewood, but dads from West Park, Fairview Park, Rocky River, Westlake and Bay Village are also encouraged to attend. 

For more information, call 216-496-5355 or email info@westshoredads.com.