My husband is a great dad. Maisie giggles endlessly when he’s playing with her. He changes diapers, does his share of baths, carries her on his shoulders for hours on end, or takes her swimming when the water is just too darn cold for me. He watched her for an entire weekend by himself without the world coming to an end or the house burning down. No wonder Maisie is more excited to see him walk in the door than me. I know, I know; I spend all day with her. Still…one “Yippee!” when she sees my face now and then would be nice.
Of course, fatherhood doesn’t come naturally to everybody and even the best fathers don’t necessarily do as much as mothers, even when both parents work. So have I got a Father’s Day gift for the new dad or dad-to-be in your life! I’m not really sure if it’s a gift for Dad or Mom…because the whole idea is to teach men the ins and outs of being a daddy. Having Super Dad around the house is also a fabulous gift for us overworked, under-appreciated moms, yes?
It’s called Daddy Bootcamp and it’s being offered on Wednesday, June 16 at the White Plains Destination Maternity. There’s a portion of the class called “Daddy Skills and Drills” which are demonstrations on holding, feeding, sponge-bathing, diaper-changing—even swaddling. It’s basically the 411 on what to do with a tiny tike.
This class is just one of many that Destination Maternity is offering in conjunction with White Plains Hospital. The classes are really for new parents and are pretty special, if you ask me.
There’s Baby-Proofing Your Finances, Breastfeeding Basics, Breastfeeding Follow-up Clinic, Childbirth Education Classes, Infant Massage, New Mothers Support Group, Parenting, and Pre-Natal Yoga.
There’s also a great sibling class, given at the hospital the third Monday of every month, that includes a tour of the maternity unit. It’s for sibs ages three and up so Maisie can’t take it, but man—that sounds like a goodie to me.
Classes are generally offered every other month and run between $35 and $50, though the childbirth education class is $200. To sign up you call the Parent Education Department at 914-681-1234.
Of course, the best parts of being a daddy—like how to properly blow on a baby’s tummy or how to make her giggle when you smell her feet—can’t be learned. They, my dear, have to come with experience.