These dads believe in new beginnings
A support group recognizes that parenting is a remarkable journey for fathers as well, not only for moms
By Juana Manahan YupangcoPhilippine Daily Inquirer
RICK Yupangco and daughter Rosanna
Mothers today have come a long way since a generation ago, when I was born. There is so much out there to learn from.
The New Beginnings Community provides information to expectant mothers innovatively through peer support.
Backed by Friesland Campina, the New Beginnings Community pools information from like-minded modern moms and makes it available to everyone. I learned the most about parenting and breastfeeding from friends, and found this to be just as helpful as reading a book.
Nixing the old practice of mom raising the kids while dads provide, New Beginnings believes in the importance of partnership in parenting. In the community, one finds helpful tips such as how to go back to work while still breastfeeding. My husband’s favorite section is on ways to save money and what expenses to prepare for.
BEANS and Danielle Gonzalez
New Beginnings recognizes the importance of alternative child care for parents (both are usually working), so there are extensive articles on how to find the right yaya.
More than mothers, New Beginnings supports fathers. It recently celebrated Father’s Day with Glam-O-Mamas events, including “Glam-O-Mamas love the Papas” at Podium Mall.
GLAM-O-MAMA Amanda Griffin-Jacob with the Friesland Campina team, from left: Tanya Pico, Jacqui Marcelo and Jiggs Baarde
Glam-O-Mamas and New Beginnings recognize that the backbone of every family is a strong, supportive father. Such fathers enable us to be the mothers we want to be.
The event’s highlight was a digital exhibit of progressive dads, such as Migz Zubiri, Jay Jay Suarez, Cary Lagdameo, Leo Po, Rafa Alunan, Chucho Martinez, David Jacob, Javi Bereguer Testa, Quad de la Paz, RJ Ledesma, Marc Soong and Carlo Antonio.
Amazing fathers
These men from different areas of society, all successful in their own fields, recognize that first and foremost, their priority is to be amazing fathers.
LORALEE Baron Soong with daughters Gabbie and Noelle
Over dinner, my friends and I discussed how natural it was for our husbands to take care of the babies. Before my son was born, my husband and I made a deal that I would focus on breastfeeding the baby, and that any other thing the baby needed would be his responsibility, including (but not limited to) changing diapers, rocking him to sleep, and changing his clothes.
He gave my son a bath long before I ever did and frequently changed his diapers. It was my husband who encouraged me to breastfeed and pump milk for both my children for as long as I could. When I wanted to give up on my son, he stayed up with me and talked me through the frustration.
ANNIE Ringor and Odette Velarde
He took a picture of the first few ounces of milk I had pumped that could be stored for the baby, and kept the photo on hand to encourage me. I have found that as my husband became a better father, he has also become a better husband.
It’s important to remember that while a birth is a new beginning for moms, it’s also a new beginning for dads. Communities such as New Beginnings are a resource to help parents grow together not just to be successful parents, but also to strengthen their relationship and raise a family.
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Tags: Fatherhood , Lifestyle , New Beginnings Community , PARENTING
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