Floyd's Boot Camp for New Dads is a free, three-hour workshop aimed at helping dads-to-be become more confident in their role as a new parent and more comfortable around babies.
During Boot Camp for New Dads, men spend time in an overall large-group session and also in small groups with experienced dads.
The upcoming Saturday workshop will be held January 25 from 9 a.m. to noon at the Floyd Emergency Medical Services Conference Room, 500 Riverside Parkway in Rome. Breakfast will be provided. Participants will also receive a copy of the book Crash Course for Dads-to-Be.
Registration is required. Register online at www.floyd.org/newdads. Two experienced dads, Mark Harrison and Mark Hannah, who work in the Public Relations department at Floyd, lead the boot camp.
Participants can ask whatever questions they want, including details about childbirth, packing a diaper bag, the reality of installing a car seat, how to change a diaper and postpartum depression.
Harrison and Hannah also lead the group in discussing topics such as working as a parenting team, child safety, managing stress, and how to tell the difference between the baby blues versus postpartum depression, and how to soothe a crying baby.
A previous workshop graduate will be serving as one of the veteran dads in the January workshop.
“Dads feel more confident after the workshop. They get the information they need, and they also get a confidence boost for this major change in their life. Our goal is to help dads be the best dads that they can be," said Hannah.
In addition to the class for new dads, Floyd also offers to childbirth classes for couples and a group for moms. Learn more at www.floyd.org/childbirth.