Roberto and Rebecca Cazares put together a construction paper and tissue jellyfish with their daughter Bethany Tuesday during a morning class of Early Childhood Family Education.
By Lori Ehde
Dads are more involved than ever in caring for their children, and it’s becoming apparent in Luverne’s Early Childhood Family Education classes.
The classes are offered through Community Education for parents to learn and share ideas about parenting and for children up to 5 years old to meet and mingle with other children.
Community Education Director Karen Willers said 231 different parents participated in various ECFE classes last year.
That number not only represents a growing interest in ECFE among local families, it also includes 94 different dads participating.
In 1999, only 16 percent of participating parents were dads, compared with 35 percent today.
With increasing research pointing to the importance of fathers’ relationships with their children, Willers said she’s pleased to see so many local dads involved in the classes.
"It’s really significant because the role of fathers is different," she said.
"Our issues used to deal with moms going to work and getting dads to help out more at home. … Now, they’re actively involved in raising the children, and the dads are really enjoying being involved."
She said it warms her heart to see dads reading to children on their laps during ECFE interaction time.
"That’s got to be a positive thing for self-esteem," she said.
Bonding with Daddy
"I just love spending time with the kids," said Luverne’s Evan Verbrugge, who has been attending ECFE with his children since his son, Riley was born seven years ago.
Verbrugge, a Rock County sheriff’s deputy, now goes to ECFE with their daughter Emma.
"We thought it was a good way for us to meet other parents, and I thought it was a good way for other people to meet me outside of my uniform, not in a squad car."
He and his wife, Missy, share parenting duties with their alternative schedules, so they wanted their children to have social exposure that they weren’t getting in a daycare setting.
"It is tough being a parent and having to do it by yourself is no picnic," he said. "Missy and I sometimes say that we are single parents because I take care of the kids during the day and she takes care of them at night."
At the same time, he said the arrangement has given him the opportunity to be close to this children.
"The thing that I remember the most from my father was that no matter what the reason, he was always there. I want to be remembered liked that, that I was always there for my children," he said.
"Time with them is too short and they just make me laugh. They can be a handful sometimes, but they know that they are loved."
Jason Aanenson, also a deputy, attends ECFE regularly with his wife, Sheila, and their girls Samantha, 5, and Emily, 2 1/2.
"It’s been good for the kids," he said. "Any way we can get a little head start with them will benefit them down the road."
He said he enjoys the one-on-one time with the girls that the program encourages, and also the parenting tips other parents share.
"It’s for anybody who wants to take a proactive role in parenting their kids can benefit from this," Aanenson said. "It’s not a big time commitment. It’s helped me bond with girls. It lets them know I’m interested in them and that I’m there for them."
He said the program has helped him become a better dad. "I would encourage any dad to come, even if you’re the only one there," he said. "It’s a good time."
Parents share tips on potty training, temper tantrums, bedtime, etc.
The classes are structured to allow parent-child interaction, followed by class time when the children have their learning time away from parents, and parents have time for their own learning.
"The parent discussion time is designed so parents can learn from each other, with some serving as positive role models for the group," Willers aid.
"That’s the No. 1 thing that works well for ECFE. That’s why attaching funding to free and reduced meals could affect this essential element."
Funding for ECFE could be in jeopardy if Gov. Pawlenty’s budget proposal is approved.
"You’d take away the opportunity to learn positive things from each other," Willers said.
"The whole idea is support and encouragement from each other and spending time with your kids. … We’re not just for families in crisis, like some programs are set up."
Willers said whether the dads are at ECFE with their kids or not, she hopes all men in the community are understanding their importance in families.
"Little boys are going to feel they’re important to a family other than for bringing home a paycheck," Willers said.
