If, like me, you're old as hell, your dad probably was not even in the room when you were born. Lucky for my brother and I, that early separation certainly didn’t end up setting the tone for our relationship with our father, but I can’t help contrasting that with the birth of my own daughter. My husband went to as many OB appointments as he could, sat through our childbirth classes with me and was the first one to hold her and introduce her to her grandparents.

Gen X and Gen Y dads are, unquestionably, far more involved than our fathers' generation was. A dad today who said he wouldn’t change diapers, didn’t help with middle-of-the night feedings or won't at least play with the kid so mom can get a shower would be rightfully branded a jackass. But that means dads can get caught up in the welter of ridiculously high expectations just like moms can. And they don’t have years of babysitting and cultural expectation that they would know how to take care of a baby like most women do.

I think classes like this can help. These Boot Camp For New Dads classes help dads with the basics like burping, feeding and changing, as well as with some of the more emotional issues like financial pressure, the changing relationship with their partner, and overbearing relatives.

The classes are especially targeting young dads, who can be even more overwhelmed by dealing with their new roles. 

Anything that reminds fathers how important they are to their kids is essential. I've seen too many friends suffer because Daddy was a sorry-ass excuse for a man. If these classes help, more power to them. 

 
Photo: Columbus Dispatch