The Fathering Project

Suggested Uses of the DVD and BlueBook

Suggested uses of the DVD and booklet
(click here to download pdf file containing this information)

The DVD

It can be used in schools, workplaces, in community groups and by individuals at home, including fathers and father-figures who cannot, or choose not to, attend group functions. It is intended to be shown to fathers and father figures by parent groups, school leaders, human resource staff, community leaders (eg pastors) school counsellors and/or chaplains as a stimulus for discussion and further reading. The aim is to improve the involvement of fathers and father figures in children’s lives

The Blue Book of Tips for Fathers and Father Figurs
This booklet contains many practical ideas for men, and is designed to be used:

to provide specific ideas following viewing of the video [the 21 minute video contains some tips but is mainly used to stimulate discussion whereas the book provides many specific tips]
to be taken away by men and used as an ongoing reminder eg. to be kept in wallets, desk drawers, pockets, gloveboxes, toilets and on bedside tables. We hope that every father in the school would receive a copy [eg. one school has already ordered 1000 copies].

Suggested use of the material:
For the DVD, some of the approaches that have been suggested include:

show the DVD to fathers at schools via a parents’ meeting, a sausage sizzle, after a working bee or other appropriate father-friendly function etc. Workplaces might use it during a lunch break or work retreat. Community groups such as churches have suggested they would use it at an evening or men’s breakfast type function. Fathers who attend an intial function might then be invited to be ‘champions’ of the process and promote viewing of the video amongst the other fathers and father-figures who have not attended that initial showing
have each class at the school or section of a workplace or community group hold specific functions in homes
we have found in our research that fathers or father figures they are more likely to attend such functions if the children themselves write invitations to them and if they are also invited personally by other dads, rather than relying on notes or emails
some form of incentives has been used in other similar programs eg. a reward to a class children for high level participation by fathers or father figures. We have not tried that for this program
make it available on loan for individual viewing at home and also make sure that the school or workplace library has several copies for loan
promote the material via newsletters (eg list some of the BlueBook points), assembly items to trigger interest, home communication sheets and classroom/home activities eg: a bag with copy of the DVD information or booklet sent to homes
allow time for discussion following viewing [some suggested discussion topics are included in the downloadable Handout Sheet]. Such discussion could be general or could focus on specific topics eg. learning - how dads can help their children’s education (see Blue Book pp 12-17) or encourage good health/avoiding drugs etc (see Blue Book pp18-22)
make a copy of ‘The Blue Book’ available for each man to take home (most dads seem happy to pay for these but some schools are making them available free of charge)

Our hope is that this process would strengthen the process of creating school and community cultures in which fathers encourage their children, each other, other children and school staff in all that they do.

Target audience:
The video is aimed at fathers. It is also relevant to father figures such as step fathers, uncles, mentors, male teachers, youth leaders, grandfathers and coaches, because these people can be very important in children’s lives, especially those children who do not have much father input.

Ordering more copies:
More copies can be purchased from the Project office. An Order Form for the DVD and booklet can be downloaded from our website. We encourage leaders to consider ordering sufficient copies of the Blue Book of tips to ensure that every father/father figure has their own copy.

Mothers: It is important to encourage mothers to support this initiative, in the interests of their children. It is also clearly important to create opportunities for children whose fathers are not able to be present for whatever reason to have an alternative adult male come along to such functions, to have the option of private viewing of the DVD at home or some other mechanism that won’t cause any embarrassment.

Some commendations

This dynamic DVD and program will provide parents and teachers with an outstanding resource to assist and encourage fathers to positively engage in their children’s lives. The DVD has relevance to all parents and caregivers.
Colin Pettit, President, Primary Principals Association of WA

The positive and affirming messages of the Fathering Project will enrich the lives of everyone who engages with them.....and they are just as important for teachers and their families as they are for the parents of our students.
Alison Woodman, President, Western Australian Secondary School Executives Association

This DVD gives very simple and very important advice that is useful for all fathers. If they follow this advice it should make a big impact on the health and wellbeing of Australian children. It’s very well done. Excellent.
Professor Peter le Souef, Professor of Paediatrics, Princess Margaret Hospital for Children

This DVD is brilliant and represents a strategic way for schools to encourage dads to be more involved in their childrens’ education. Teachers and principals today need advocates in the community, particularly from among dads.
Dr Peter Prout, Lecturer in Education, Edith Cowan University & former teacher/principal

I would like to encourage Principals to take and use these resources and provide opportunities for every father in their school to watch the DVD and to have access to the booklet. This is a great opportunity to make a difference in the lives of many of the families in their schools.
Engaging fathers in their children’s upbringing is one of the most difficult parenting issues today. While there are many parenting courses, there is little available that directly targets fathers. Having run a number of parenting courses myself, the lack of fathers attending who are keen to learn and explore their relationship with their children has always been disappointing.
This Fathering DVD contains relevant and accessible materials which fathers can use in small groups or at home by themselves.
The Fathering booklet provides a simple ongoing tool for Fathers to provide practical ideas for use with their children.
Stephen Larkin YouthCARE Area Chaplain

It’s a fantastic video. It could have a very big impact, as long as you actually get dads to watch it.
Greg Winfield. Cabinetmaker

My father died when he was the age that I am now. Nothing could more powerfully motivate me as a father. This DVD is full of honest, real- life advice and practical encouragement to help you do your best at being a Dad. I gladly recommend it.
Kanishka Raffel, Lawyer and Pastor

‘I thought this video was awesome. There was a good balance between dads, kids & tips’
Social worker

‘There’s lots of wisdom in there, including for separated dads’
Teacher

‘This is a stunning video’
Pastor

‘I liked the positive approach, rather than just interviewing kids who had turned out badly’
Mother

‘I wouldn’t change anything about it. The content was very engaging. Brilliant video’
Psychologist

‘This video succeeded in touching the hearts of us viewers emotionally. Lots of bits did that for me, the introduction from the doctor, the stories from the dads, listening to the kids - they were all very touching’
Teacher-Lecturer

I have 3 young children and am prone to spending long hours at work. This DVD was a powerful reminder of the significance of spending quality time with each of my kids – highly recommended. I think it’s a brilliant DVD and valuable resource
David Metcalf, Managing Director, DiskBank Pty Ltd