LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — As many viewers know, I became a dad this year— and my fellow fathers out there know it is a whole new world welcoming a kiddo.
That’s why we're introducing you to fathers and organizations designed to help you in your dad era in our new segment “Hay Dads”.
There’s no specific science to being the perfect father, but the first step is the easiest.
“Statistics show why being an involved father is so important," said Bobby Herndon, Arkansas Better Dads program coordinator. “There are things that you figure out along the way just by being involved.”
Arkansas Better Dads works with a variety of community partners to connect fathers with the resources they need to acquire family and social skills, attain employment, and be able to provide financial, emotional, and social support for their children.
"We provide opportunities for them to come out and experience events for the whole family at free or no cost to them. Arkansas Better Dads night with the Travelers. We bought 250 tickets where kids and their dads could get in for free,” Herndon added.
The organization not only provides fun nights at the ballpark, they also offer guidance and training through the Department of Corrections for fathers who are set to be released in six months or less on how to acclimate to being an involved parent after prison.
“They’ve told us these men are so excited every day to learn from the curriculum and it’s made such a big impact on their lives and when they come out of prison, they’re changed people,” he described.
Arkansas Better Dads encourages all fathers, not just new ones, to join them and remember this when you’re with your kids.
“Not just be there but be fully present. I mean take them to a museum and they’ll not only get an experience they won’t forget but they’ll learn things. Take them to meet influential people and people that have made an impact on your life and that’ll help change their life as well," Herndon said.