Supporting fathers in the NICU
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Mike Spohr, Blogger, Dad, and the Executive Director of "Friends of Maddie," a charity for families of NICU babies, shares advice on how to help dads when their newborn is in the NICU
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Some of the things that people can do to support the father in the NICU. I think the first thing is to know that the father is going through a horribly traumatic, difficult time for the mother as well as the father.
I think sometimes the focus is on the mother. I know, personally, when my daughter, Madeline, was in the NICU, people would say, "How is your wife? She must be having a terrible time right now. I feel so bad for her." She was having a tough time, but I was too. I think that a great thing to remember is that the dads are going through a tough time too. Say, "How are you doing dad? How are you doing?" A statement will go a long way in helping the dad.
The other thing you can do -- Guy friends have a tough time with their emotions. I know my guy friends, when my child ended up the NICU, they didn't know what to do. I would say to guys, get a little uncomfortable. Make the phone call. Make the visit. Support your friend, even though that's not something you normally do. It will help a lot.
Mike Spohr, Blogger, Dad, and the Executive Director of "Friends of Maddie," a charity for families of NICU babies, shares advice on how to help dads when their newborn is in the NICU
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Mike Spohr
Blogger & Dad
Author of the parenting blog "The Newborn Identity", Mike Spohr lives in Southern California with his wife, Heather, ice cream-obsessed two-year-old daughter, Annabel, and froufrou dog, Rigby. He is also the Executive Director of Friends of Maddie, a charity started in honor of his late daughter Madeline, which helps the families of NICU babies.
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