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Original poster

Help name a new support group for new Dads!

48 replies

TrustPenguins · 12/07/2023 21:40

Calling all creative minds!

Help needed to come up with a catchy and creative name for a service that supports perinatal dads' mental health.

Please share your suggestions! Thank you!

OP posts:
FatherJackHackettsUnderpantsHamper · 12/07/2023 23:37

Dad life.
I think there is a Facebook account with that name where I read a good post a few weeks back about enjoying your child now, at this age, because you'll never be in that moment again.

Presumably short for I've Dad The Time Of My Life!?!

I saw a book aimed at new dads called Parenting With Balls - that always struck me as quite amusing.

From Sperm To Term (maybe not that one!)

The Good, The Dad And The Snuggly

FatherJackHackettsUnderpantsHamper · 12/07/2023 23:37

NotMums

SirKurtBored · 12/07/2023 23:38

Men Behaving Dadly

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Families
Sugarfree23 · 12/07/2023 23:39

I like new Dads on the block but it very much sounds like something for Dads of babies,

Mumsnet is amazing because its mums of children of all ages. Older mums with tons of experience still hang around helping new mums.

So my vote is Dadzone or Dads only

SirKurtBored · 12/07/2023 23:40

Making Dad
Dads Like You

SarahAndQuack · 12/07/2023 23:41

drspouse · 12/07/2023 23:23

From the same place mums get it?
I am an adopter and mental health support was offered when my two were under 5. I didn't give birth but it was clearly for me, but I can see how dads might prefer to discuss things with other dads.

Show quote history

It might easily be inappropriate for a lesbian non-birth partner to seek support from a birth mothers' group, though. In that very early period, it'd be daft to pretend the experiences are the same just because both parents are of the same sex. The non-birth mum hasn't gone through labour; she won't be dealing with recovery or birth trauma; she won't be trying to breastfeed or dealing with hormonal changes. She will have other challenges that have nothing directly to do with giving birth.

SirKurtBored · 12/07/2023 23:42

Real Social Dad

FingerishGloves · 12/07/2023 23:50

Dadulting

FatherJackHackettsUnderpantsHamper · 12/07/2023 23:51

If it's in Wales: Band Of My Fathers!

ElizaWinter · 13/07/2023 00:15

Father Time

Dad Division

The Speakeasy

The Old Man's Club

LordSalem · 13/07/2023 00:48

The Other Parent

Sugarplumfury · 13/07/2023 01:02

Father Time
All Dads
Father On
Father Up
Daddying
Daddy Issues
Dads Hub

drspouse · 13/07/2023 03:32

SarahAndQuack · 12/07/2023 23:41

It might easily be inappropriate for a lesbian non-birth partner to seek support from a birth mothers' group, though. In that very early period, it'd be daft to pretend the experiences are the same just because both parents are of the same sex. The non-birth mum hasn't gone through labour; she won't be dealing with recovery or birth trauma; she won't be trying to breastfeed or dealing with hormonal changes. She will have other challenges that have nothing directly to do with giving birth.

Show quote history

No, and obviously I wouldn't go to a group that was just about birth experiences, but I went along to baby massage/sensory play/baby swimming and managed not to internally combust during the other mums' birth stories but they told them and had that experience which they WOULD do with me there but wouldn't with a dad there. And DH didn't make friends at those groups and felt awkward in a way I didn't.
So if there was a "new mums' group" that was about mental health (not birth trauma) I'd have gone but it would be daft for DH to go and sensible for any female new parent to go, adoptive, birth or co-parent.
There is a lot of "woe is me, how can those privileged birth parents not see how easy they have it, how can they exclude me by daring to talk about breastfeeding" by adoptive parents which (with an 11 year old and a 9 year old) turned me on to the "trying to find oppression" vibe quite some time ago.

LunaNorth · 13/07/2023 03:36

Daddy Lessons.

Dad Up.

Making Dad.

OneFrenchEgg · 13/07/2023 05:57

No I'm thinking along the lines of Sarah's reply. If this is about prep for the arrival of a baby and supporting your pregnant partner it's not the same as just going to where pregnant women go for support surely?

Original poster
TrustPenguins · 13/07/2023 06:25

Some of these suggestions are great, thank you!

OP posts:
SarahAndQuack · 13/07/2023 19:26

drspouse · 13/07/2023 03:32

No, and obviously I wouldn't go to a group that was just about birth experiences, but I went along to baby massage/sensory play/baby swimming and managed not to internally combust during the other mums' birth stories but they told them and had that experience which they WOULD do with me there but wouldn't with a dad there. And DH didn't make friends at those groups and felt awkward in a way I didn't.
So if there was a "new mums' group" that was about mental health (not birth trauma) I'd have gone but it would be daft for DH to go and sensible for any female new parent to go, adoptive, birth or co-parent.
There is a lot of "woe is me, how can those privileged birth parents not see how easy they have it, how can they exclude me by daring to talk about breastfeeding" by adoptive parents which (with an 11 year old and a 9 year old) turned me on to the "trying to find oppression" vibe quite some time ago.

Show quote history

I wasn't being 'woe is me' and I don't think the other poster was either. I'm the non-bio mum myself; IME it's just common sense to realise some groups will suit lots of permutations on 'parent' and others will not. If the OP wants to organise for dads, fair play. But that doesn't automatically mean non-bio mums belong with bio mums. Not huge issue.

LaraPeople · 13/07/2023 19:31

There was one near me called Who Let the Dads Out - but it was more of a Saturday morning stay and play, than a support group

PurpleChrayne · 13/07/2023 20:07

OneFrenchEgg · 12/07/2023 23:16

PartnerPrep - otherwise it's a bit exclusive I think? Where do lesbian couples get the same support?

Lesbians can't be dads, you daft 'aporth!

drspouse · 13/07/2023 20:55

OneFrenchEgg · 13/07/2023 05:57

No I'm thinking along the lines of Sarah's reply. If this is about prep for the arrival of a baby and supporting your pregnant partner it's not the same as just going to where pregnant women go for support surely?

Well, it's for perinatal mental health support - not "how to help your partner".
And just as women feel more comfortable in a female only group, men have a shocking record of seeking help for mental health and are less likely to do so in a mixed sex group.
So I vote:
1 "Dads United" or other cheesy name, new dads only, mental health
2 "Dads stay and play" new dads only, social
3 "Sensory play" any new parents, social
4 "Mums mental health support" any new mums, general mental health support
5 "Birth trauma group" only mums who gave birth and whose mental health issue is related to the process of being pregnant and delivering.

The number of co-mums and adoptive mums in group 4 will be very low and will not (IME which is extremely direct) inhibit sharing of relevant details. The alternative is an online group for these tiny numbers.

As we usually say in FWR, we don't mess up the single sex services for the majority by saying "what about this tiny minority".

SarahAndQuack · 13/07/2023 21:58

drspouse · 13/07/2023 20:55

Well, it's for perinatal mental health support - not "how to help your partner".
And just as women feel more comfortable in a female only group, men have a shocking record of seeking help for mental health and are less likely to do so in a mixed sex group.
So I vote:
1 "Dads United" or other cheesy name, new dads only, mental health
2 "Dads stay and play" new dads only, social
3 "Sensory play" any new parents, social
4 "Mums mental health support" any new mums, general mental health support
5 "Birth trauma group" only mums who gave birth and whose mental health issue is related to the process of being pregnant and delivering.

The number of co-mums and adoptive mums in group 4 will be very low and will not (IME which is extremely direct) inhibit sharing of relevant details. The alternative is an online group for these tiny numbers.

As we usually say in FWR, we don't mess up the single sex services for the majority by saying "what about this tiny minority".

Show quote history

Absolutely agree with this. It's not helpful to anyone to force inclusion. And dads will face different challenges from non-bio mums.

Riverlee · 13/07/2023 22:01

Daddy Mac Daddyface

Riverlee · 13/07/2023 22:03

Fathers’ Friends

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