Just in time for Father's Day, a state agency has published a resource guide for new and expectant fathers.
New York's Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance is distributing 40,000 brochures titled, "Driver's Manual for New Dads" to birthing hospitals across the state. The booklet offers helpful tips and information on what to do during pregnancy and once a child is born.
“Becoming a new parent can bring tremendous joy, but it can also be incredibly stressful,” said Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance Commissioner Samuel D. Roberts. “Our ‘Driver’s Manual for New Dads’ provides new fathers with information on how they can best support and care for their partner and child. We know that children who receive support from both parents have a greater chance at success as they grow older.”
Among the topics covered in the manual are steps for establishing legal paternity, changing diapers, and helping the child's mother throughout the pregnancy. It also emphasizes the importance of fathers being involved in their children's lives and being a good partner to the child's mother. The manual draws from experiences of new fathers - sharing lessons learned, and lessons they wished they had known.
Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance officials said the manual was developed to fill a void left by a lack of resources focused on new fathers.
