The Chicago New Dads Group
Due to popular demand, The Chicago New Moms Group is now hosting Dads Groups. These are for dads of babies 0-6 months old—not just first-time dads, but 2nd (or 3rd or 4th) time dads as well. Groups will begin with a casual in-person BYOB (bring your own baby) meet-up at noon on Saturday, May 16th at Demo Brewing Company (1763 W. Berteau Ave.). After that, four weekly sessions will take place on at Merry Music Makers located at 3759 N. Ravenswood on Tuesday evenings from 7:30- 9pm.
All groups will be run by Jeff Ruby, a licensed social worker who specializes in men’s issues, grief and loss, and life transitions from adolescence through adulthood. He is the father of three and a freelance writer who spent ten years as the chief dining critic at Chicago magazine.
May session dates:
Saturday, May 16: 2-3:30pm at Demo Brewing Company, option to bring your baby
Tuesdays: 7:30-9pm, May 19, 26 and June 2, 9 at Merry Music Makers, option to bring your baby
Help shape our Chicago New Dads Group by giving us your feedback in the questionnaire linked HERE.
Future dates
July session dates:
Saturday, July 11: 12-1:30p at Demo Brewing Company, option to bring your baby
Tuesdays: 7:30-9pm, July 14, 21, 28 and August 4 at Merry Music Makers, option to bring your baby
September session dates:
Saturday August 29: 12-1:30p at Demo Brewing Company, option to bring your baby
Tuesdays: 7:30-9pm, September 1, 8,15, 22 at Merry Music Makers, option to bring your baby
October/November session dates:
Saturday, October 24: 2-1:30p at Demo Brewing Company, option to bring your baby
Tuesdays: 7:30-9pm, October 27 and November 3, 10, 17 at Merry Music Makers, option to bring your baby
Interested in a future session? Let’s us know here and we will reach out when that session opens for registration
Discussion topics include (but are not limited to):
Supporting your partner amidst major life transition, supporting partner’s recovery and emotions
Feelings of being excluded from early caregiving
How to stay connected with your partner and find couple time when the baby takes all your energy
Conflict management with partner
Fair division of responsibilities while maintaining equal partnerships
Adjusting identity: balancing family, work, and yourself
Postpartum mental health: recognizing stress, anxiety, or depression
Managing sleep deprivation and frustration
Managing advice overload: how to sort out what works for your family
Handling family/in-law boundaries and expectations
How fatherhood changes friendships and social life