FatherUp

Stress affects your mood, your health, and your parenting.
Try this: deep breathing, time to recharge, and regular exercise.
You can't pour from an empty cup. Take care of YOU.
Learn more about FatherUp at Action for Children: actionforchildren.org/fatherUp

Spend time reading with your children to encourages bonding. It builds vocabulary, confidence, connection, and gets them kindergarten ready. Start with 5 minutes a day and see the difference it makes!
Learn more about FatherUp at Action for Children: actionforchildren.org/fatherUp

Ohio’s 2026-2027 state budget has been signed. What does it mean for families, early educators, and children in central Ohio?

▪️ A new Child Care Cred program to help employers and employees share child care costs
▪️ Support for recruiting and mentoring child care professionals
▪️ Increased funding for maternal health and home visiting services

Some proposed programs didn’t make it into the final version—but many key services did see funding increases.

Read our full breakdown:
🔗 https://www.actionforchildren.org/ohio-2026-2027-budget-child-care-updates/

Interested in advocating for stronger support for children and families? Visit:
🔗 https://www.actionforchildren.org/advocacy

Your presence matters more than you know.
Being a dad isn’t about being perfect—it’s about being present. When fathers are positively involved, their children are more likely to succeed emotionally, socially, and academically.

Even if your child is too young to say it, they feel what you're going through.

Your stress doesn’t go unnoticed—it shows up in their world too.
That’s why taking care of your mental health is one of the strongest ways to show up as a dad.

- Breathe
- Talk it out
- Take time for you

You can’t pour into your child if your own cup is empty.
Whether you see them every day or once a week—your presence is more powerful when you’re grounded.

You may not always get the spotlight—but your love, your effort, and your consistency matter more than words can say.

To all the dads showing up day after day: we see you, we appreciate you, and we celebrate you.

When you help with homework, go to parent nights, or just check in—your kids:
✅ Communicate better
✅ Manage emotions
✅ Do better in school
You don’t have to be perfect. Just be present however you are able.

Fatherhood isn’t just about teaching—it’s about growing, learning, and becoming better with your children.

Every time you work on your patience, your mindset, your habits—you’re setting a powerful example. Your growth is their gain. 🙌🏾

When dads are actively involved, everyone wins—especially moms. 🙌🏽

The National Fatherhood Initiative (2024) reports that involved fathers reduce maternal stress, improve co-parenting dynamics, and help create a healthier, more supportive home environment.

When dads:
- Share caregiving responsibilities
- Show emotional presence
- Build strong partnerships with moms
…mothers thrive.

Mothers matter. Fathers matter. Families win when we show up together!
At FatherUp, we’re here to support fathers in being present, prepared, and powerful in their parenting—because strong dads build strong families. And strong families uplift moms too.

Check out our Mothers Matter program at afclearning.org!

Reading with your child isn’t just bonding time—it’s brain-building time.
Kids who are read to regularly before kindergarten hear over 1 million more words than those who aren’t. So dads, let's get our kids ready for kindergarten!

🎒 Want more tools to get your child ready for school?
Join our Kindergarten Readiness Parent Workshop—it’s FREE, fun, and packed with tips to help you support your child’s learning at home! Register at the link in bio or at https://bit.ly/3XXkld4