Father and Child trust were proud to attend the first graduation ceremony at Family Start Manukau on Tuesday 17th November. Five parents graduated from this ten module course – conducted by Lee Kumeroa and based on Father and Child’s Discovering Fatherhood Correspondence Course.

Lee converted the theory based content into ‘Leading Questions’ which were interactive and gave measurable outcomes. “I had to rework it for Group Facilitation, that meant we changed it into questions that would develop understanding, it was based on a Powerpoint but we did a lot of korero so the learning came more from within.”

‘Discovering Fatherhood’… covers topics like early baby brain development, toddler play, toilet training and nappies, choosing the right day-care, co-parenting even if you live apart and dealing with teenagers. It comprises ten modules and is available free with phone or drop in support. Father and Child also has modules on ‘Finding Calm’, anger management and the removal of anger from parenting.

Feedback from the graduates was all positive and the word ‘Awesome’ kept coming up. “I learned lots of things that if I had known them, how important they are, I would have done things differently” One of the dads described how Lee was involved in the learning process too… “The way he designed it and put it all together, he got involved in the discussions.” This made the sessions more accessible and resulted in more understanding, especially around tricky subjects.

Local community identity and Youth worker Damon Heke helped present the graduates with their certificates, he shared his story about how his life has transformed from trouble to Maori TV and into his current work at Manurewa Marae.

Family Start aim to run the course again in the new year – refining and developing it to be even more succinct, open and using feedback, knowing that it fairly quickly gets to the point.

Family Start Manukau has a Dads Group as part of their overall support work and they find this a great way to focus the dads on their vital role with the children, plus how they can work together with the mothers for their children’s welfare. Father and Child is honoured and proud to have helped.