RAD Dads is a vibrant, strengths-based community dedicated to supporting expectant and new fathers during the critical first 1000 days of fatherhood—a transformative period that profoundly shapes a child's lifelong health, development, and wellbeing.
We believe that informed and empowered dads are essential to building strong families and healthy futures.
Our mission is to equip fathers with the knowledge, confidence, and practical tools to foster secure, nurturing relationships with their children, while prioritising their own personal wellbeing and growth
SENSORY PLAY & KINDER GYM EARLY LEARNING & DEVELOPMENT GROUPS
RAD DADS messy play is a hands-on, sensory activity experience for children, promoting their exploration and creativity with a variety of materials such as sand, water, clay, and paint. This engaging form of play allows little ones to freely experiment while stimulating their senses and encouraging imaginative thinking.
RAD DADS Messy Play
RAD DADS Play Gym is a vibrant, interactive space designed to enhance early childhood development while fostering a strong bond between fathers and their children.
RAD DADS Play Gym
RAD DADS Sensory Play is an exciting sensory play experience where fathers and their children dive into a world of tactile exploration and imaginative play. Designed to stimulate young minds and bodies, this playgroup features a variety of sensory-rich activities such as textured materials, water play, and interactive games.
RAD DADS Sensory Play
Bubs & Pubs is more than just informational sessions; it is a lifeline for expectant dads in regional towns, offering education, support, and community in a relaxed environment.
Bubs & Pubs provides comprehensive, evidence-based information on pregnancy, childbirth, and early parenting. It covers everything from physical and emotional changes during pregnancy to labor, delivery, and practical newborn care skills. This knowledge equips dads to feel more prepared and confident in supporting their partners and caring for their newborns.
Expectant fathers often face unique challenges and uncertainties, especially in regional areas with limited resources. Bubs & Pubs creates a supportive environment where dads can discuss their fears, concerns, and experiences openly. This peer support network helps them share advice, gain reassurance, and build camaraderie, significantly reducing stress and isolation.
Regional, Active & Dynamic Dads
A new parenting approach & model that supports and guides new dads each step of the way, to ensure we are are on track and on the right path the start
A RAD Dad embodies the principles of Regional, Active, and Dynamic parenting:
REGIONAL: RAD Dads value and actively contribute to the strengths of regional communities. Understanding local challenges, such as limited support services, they build strong connections and utilize local environments and nature as their playspace to create a stable, supportive environment for their children, fostering secure attachment and emotional resilience.
ACTIVE: RAD Dads actively engage in their child's daily life. Through consistent participation in play, nature-based activities, routines, and learning experiences, they support their child's cognitive, emotional, physical, and social development, especially during the critical early years.
DYNAMIC: RAD Dads are flexible and continuously learning. They adjust their parenting strategies to meet their child's changing needs, proactively seeking resources and support to effectively manage the complexities of modern fatherhood. This dynamic approach promotes healthy development and family harmony.
By embracing these principles, RAD Dads support balanced child development, strengthen family connections, and effectively address regional parenting challenges, demonstrating resilience, warmth, and commitment.
Testimonials
“RAD Dads has been exactly what I was looking for and Im so glad that gabs has created this wonderful community. I have Already seen brand new dad's join before their kids were born, and they have an instant group to lean on and learn from. I went nearly 2 years before having any kind of sense of community or belonging when it came to being a dad”
‘An enthusiastic crew changing the culture of Daddin’ in the Macedon ranges for the better through deep and holistic relationship engagement and with other dads, the children and the mother to improve mental and physical health for both the dad and the whole family.’