New Dad Workshop

For fathers, the transition into parenthood does not often start until the moment they hold their baby for the first time. It may feel like, " wow, they are beautiful. O dang, what do I do?" all at the same time. On the other hand, mothers may begin the physical and emotional transition at the onset of pregnancy. This dissonance in the stages of transformation can lead to discord in the relationship.

Babies are born every day. It’s not that big of a deal, right? Wrong. But it can be wonderful.

The New Dad Workshop prepares fathers and soon-to-be fathers for the transformations that accompany the birth and rearing of a newborn child.

The workshop is an opportunity to mentally and emotionally plan for the drastic changes that fathers experience during the months around birth while offering guidance for you to be a more supportive partner.

Have you heard that sleep can be difficult with a newborn? Duh! But are you curious for a little bit more on how that can actually affect your relationships, work, and overall well-being?

In the months surrounding a child’s birth, many of the profound experiences and most difficult challenges specific to fatherhood are not discussed. Not in friend groups, men’s groups, or among strangers at the bar. Prenatal couple’s classes are a great start but don’t typically offer the perspective of the partner who is in the support role.

The New Dad workshop pulls from the actual lived experiences of fathers. We utilize storytelling, interviews from mothers, humor, and practical tools to help your transition. We will also help bring you in alignment with your partner.

The transition from individual to father is at times easy and enjoyable. Other times it can be painful with unwelcome surprises. How long and difficult those times depend on one’s support and perspective. The New Dads workshop will name the inevitable challenges that lay ahead so that when times get tough you are more prepared and don’t feel alone in the experience.

During the 3-hour workshop you will:

• Hear first-hand accounts from fathers about the missteps they took, and the adjustments they made for subsequent pregnancies.
• Meet other fathers in similar timelines as your own and have the opportunity to share perspectives and questions.
• Reflect upon your own expectations and needs, discuss the needs and expectations of your partner, and begin to consider the broader legacy that you hope for your new family.
• Receive practical tools to take home and call upon as you navigate the months ahead

While the subject matter is deep and the challenges that lay ahead are real, this workshop is presented in a light-hearted manner with lots of humor. (Dad jokes are a natural part of the transition, no training required) Humor and light-heartedness are key ingredients to navigating these next phases of life.

Disclaimer:

The definition of “father” and “dad” continue to develop and broaden. The New Dad Workshop is open to all who consider themselves in a role that supports pregnancy and new life.

Format:

The 3-hour workshop is a mix of presentation, large and small group sharing, and self-reflection. You will be able to carry these insights back home in a practical and usable manner. The majority of the content comes from the lived experiences of fathers and honest perspectives of mothers.

Participants may have a partner within the first few months of pregnancy to 2-3 months postpartum. However, the content is valuable to anyone hoping to become a father in the future or who is a few years out from pregnancy that is wanting to reflect on the experience more deeply.

About the Presenter:

Paul Humes is a father of two, husband, and an educational program manager. He served in both the Air Force National Guard and Peace Corps Thailand. Mostly, he is a guy doing the best he can to figure out family life as he goes along. 

The New Dads workshop is an attempt to capture and share his experience of becoming a new father.

The process of welcoming his first child into the world turned out to be more difficult than expected. While there were many wonderful and joyous moments, the immense challenges came as a surprise. With this workshop, he hopes to provide insights and information to reduce the bumpy road that was his transition to becoming a dad.

During the pregnancy and birth of his second child, he took time to reflect and record the experience. By no means did he figure it all out or go through the second transition without struggle, but he has learned a few things worth sharing.

He has also taken time to discuss the perinatal experience with other fathers and mothers to bring an honest look at the few months surrounding new life.

Paul is also interested in ancestry and how that informs his relationships. He is a 4th generation US citizen with maternal lineage roots in Germany and Slovenia. Through his paternal line, he is 6th generation with Irish and English roots. He is the oldest of four siblings. Originally from Indiana, he has lived or traveled to nearly 30 countries. He currently resides in the Boulder, Colorado area.