I was looking at my bookmarks that I have saved on my computer the other day and I noticed the one for All Pro Dad. It is a website that offers programs, free and low cost resources, and special events in order to help men in their pursuit of being a better father. All Pro Dad has over 50 NFL spokesmen, and events with teams from the NFL. The program also boasts of having over 1,000 local chapters of the “All Pro Dad’s Day”, and over 40,000 email subscribers to the daily email, “Play of the Day.” All Pro Dad is affiliated with Family First, which also offers iMom.com to help support mothers, and Family Minute with Mark Merrill.
The NFL event includes the All Pro Dad: “Father and Kids Experience.” This event has been held two dozen times in twelve different NFL cities – including my own birthplace, Indianapolis (home of the 2006 World Champions, the Indianapolis Colts). The event is three hours long, and is held at the team’s facilities. Fathers and sons rotate through stations while they interact in games. These activities are designed to help strengthen the relationship between fathers and their kids, and give dads some good parenting advice.
The All Pro Dad’s Day is a monthly breakfast that lasts about an hour before school, or on a Saturday morning. Fathers and their children get to meet people just like them. They usually meet in a restaurant, a church, or at a school. The “Team Captain” (facilitator) has a variety of resources including a free DVD speaker library and discussion cards. The purpose of the meeting is to have a discussion on family issues, for fathers to spend time with their children, and to give fathers resources to improve the relationships within their family. There are free brochures, flyers, and a website to promote the meeting, as well as free door prizes, and hats and t-shirts.
Another great free resource is the All Pro Dad daily email “Play of the Day.” The information is brief and offers helpful advice on how to be a better dad and how to raise great kids. Topics covered include anything from improving your marriage to the complexities of raising teenagers.
Other resources include free online brochures and articles on parenting, and marriage. They even cover topics such as single parenting, divorce, and step-dads. Kids can complete a quiz on how they perceive the dad is performing as a dad and how he treats mom. You can also view online video courses on “Ten Ways to be a Better Dad.” Fathers can also go to the website’s e-store and purchase books, children’s music, and even flowers.
This is a great website. I liked it so much that I subscribed to the daily email, and I decided to help organize a local chapter of an All Pro Dad’s Day. It just seems to fit so well with the topic I write for at Families.com. I recommend this site to all dads and encourage you to take full advantage of all the resources available.