When Great Bend's Kane Clawson first heard about a class called “Dads in Action,” he was struck by its goal - helping bad dads become good dads and good dads become better dads.
“I thought I was a good dad but wanted to become a better dad,” said Clawson whose children are ages 16, 11 and 8. “In the past, I maybe wasn’t acknowledging when my kids had a problem. I wanted to learn how to manage these situations instead of avoiding them.”
Because of what he learned in the class, Clawson is now “doing my best to really listen to my children’s needs. I am trying to help them work through problems. I certainly am not perfect but I have improved.
“Overall, I try to be less angry in response to these situations.”
Clawson, 36, shared the circumstances of a somewhat minor incident that he knew would have escalated if he hadn’t recalled some lessons from the class.
One of his kids dropped a couple of plates in the kitchen, which led to a quarrel among siblings. “I was able to step in and calm the situation instead of ignoring it and letting things get out of hand. These are the kinds of situations that can escalate into something more serious.”
During the recent class sessions, Clawson said he found food for thought in a couple of sayings. The first one he mentioned is: The time spent in a child’s life will only return if you spend it first.
The second is: A lot of men say they are willing to die for their kids. But are you willing to live for your kids?
When asked what his wife thought of him attending these classes, Clawson smiled and said “it was her idea.”
Paul Rios, Dads in Action facilitator, noted that Clawson attended each class and participated in one-on-one sessions with him.
“Kane is striving to be better and shows initiative,” Rios commented. “He asks questions and thinks before he speaks. I am really proud of him.”
Upcoming class
The next eight-session class is scheduled for 6 to 8 p.m. on consecutive Mondays, beginning July 28, at the Juvenile Services offices, 1800 12th, Great Bend.
A light meal is provided; the classes are free.
The curriculum is called “Quenching the Father Thirst,” and is designed for dads at any stage – those who are parenting full-time, co-parenting or working to rebuild relationships with kids.
Topics include: it takes a man to be a dad; my challenges as a father; my relationship with women; and father and mother dynamics.
“This is an opportunity to reconnect with your children and reclaim your role as a father,” Rios said. “Any dad who is struggling can find new ways to communicate and be there for their children physically, emotionally and spiritually.”
Rios became involved and took the facilitator training because “I was a broken man from a broken home. I am no longer that man. I am learning to be a positive force instead of a negative force.”
The upcoming class is the third one offered locally; seven men have graduated.
Dads in Action is a program sponsored by Rise Up, a task force under the Central Kansas Partnership umbrella. The local program was made possible by a $50,000 grant from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment.
For more information and/or to sign up for the upcoming class, contact Paul Rios by calling 620-899-8622 or emailing him at [email protected].