I’m so happy to share this week’s episode with you, featuring Drew Soleyn from Dad Central and Connected Dads. We had a great in-depth conversation about the challenges of becoming a parent from a dad’s perspective, including becoming a parent to twins and a 3rd baby after twins. Drew also provided some excellent ideas for seeking support, trying to take care of yourself as a parent and learning critical skills to help us be the best parents we can be! Drew is the Director of Dad Central Ontario, Founder of Connected Dads, and a Career Coach at the Queen's Smith School of Business. As an International Coaching Federation (ICF) and Maxwell Leadership certified Coach, Trainer & Speaker, he helps dads show up at their best for the people who matter most.
Highlights:
4:30 – Review of studies about PPD in men, significant rates compared to the general population however it’s not talked about enough
10:05 - Drew didn’t share with friends and families about his experience of becoming a father
14:15 – Drew was in survival mode
15:21 – Drew’s experience of becoming a dad, first time dad to twins, fertility challenges
19:39 – Feelings of helplessness, being hard on himself
23:07 - Retuning to work after babies
Being the support person, having having support
27:25 – Welcoming a 3rd baby, the joys and challenges with having toddler twins at home
38:59 - Realizing I can’t handle it all, the challenges of therapy
47:13 - The importance of emotional and psychological safety in the partnership
48:08 - Building supports, resources, learning what a healthy relationship looks like, boundaries, communication, emotion management
1:04:00 – Resources for adults to learn skills
1:10:01 – Drew’s organization Dad Central, Connected Dads
1:13:40 – Drew’s advice – seek support, start with one step
Resources mentioned in this episode:
You can reach Drew by email Drew@connectedads.ca
Dad Central https://dadcentral.ca and Dad Central Podcast https://dadcentral.ca/podcast/
Connected Dads https://www.connecteddads.ca
Dr. Laura Markham, Aha parenting https://www.ahaparenting.com
Dr. Stuart Shanker Self-regulation courses https://self-reg.ca/resource-library/
Dr. Henry Cloud https://www.drcloud.com/books/boundaries
You can find us at www.perinatalwellbeing.ca on Instagram @perinatalwellbeing_ontario or by email info@perinatalwellbeing.ca
If you are experiencing any of the symptoms discussed in this or any episode please reach out to me at info@perinatalwellbeing.ca and I can help you find support in your area or online.
Check out Postpartum Support International at www.postpartum.net for more information about Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders as well as free online support groups and a provider directory.
You can look for an individual therapist on www.psychologytoday.com.
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