Cork dads (and dads-to-be) can find support and a decent chat at this new support group
It’s the most rewarding gig on the planet.
But let’s be honest – being a dad can also be a pressure cooker. Between nappy changes, nap schedules, and that nagging question of “Am I doing this right?”… a bit of support can go a long way.
Well, now there’s a brand new spot in town where you can vent, swap stories, and score some much-needed advice from other dads who’ve been in the trenches.
Lads to Dads, a free peer-to-peer support group for dads and soon-to-be dads in Cork City, meets for the first time on April 20th at Cork Lotus Yoga Studios.
The group was started by local dad Shane O’Connor, who is originally from Clare but has been living in Cork now for three years with his partner Hazel (who owns and runs Cork Lotus Yoga Studio) and their son Bodhi (2).
“After giving up alcohol six months ago, I quickly found out that a lot of my catching up and socialising with other dads was often done in the pub watching Ireland play rugby, ashamedly,” Shane told us.
“After speaking with other dads, some others felt the same and were getting a bit tired of it. So knowing the struggles that many face when it comes to fatherhood and also seeing how good Hazel is with her support network of other mothers who catch up regularly, I wanted to try and kickstart something for dads and soon-to-be-dads.”
The group invites dads of all ages and experiences to share in each other’s successes and challenges once a month in a friendly, relaxed setting.
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“Fatherhood is one of the greatest gifts in life. When it’s going well, the love experienced is like nothing else,” says Shane
“However, for many reasons, fatherhood can often be really challenging and sometimes a very lonely existence.”
The meet-up begins at 3pm and you can just turn up to get involved.
