DadsMOVE

Local Trainings in the Seattle area provided by DadsMOVE. CACPS training- Crisis training for Certified Peers that provides additional crisis training. March 24-28 in Northgate. CPC training- Regular CPC certification training that will be 80 hours (40 in person 40 virtual). May 5-9 and 12-16 Parkland School/virtual. For more information, please contact Sarah Jensen - her email is on the image - or reach out at 800-736-0979.

Hey Dads - its Pi Day! 3/14. As in Pi... 3.14. Isn't nerd humor grand? As a dad, part of our mission with our kids should be to spark a love of science and learning in our kids. And we can use Pi Day to help spark that love. I know this may not sound very LinkedIn career website friendly, but hey - being a dad is our #1 job. Sounds complicated? Not really. Science isn’t just about test tubes and lab coats. It’s about curiosity, problem-solving, and understanding the world. Encouraging your kids to explore science today can open doors to endless career opportunities tomorrow! ?? - Tech & Engineering – The future is digital, and coding, AI, and robotics are changing the game. - Medicine & Health – From doctors to biotech innovators, science saves lives. - Environmental Science – Solving climate challenges and protecting our planet starts with knowledge. - Everyday Life – Critical thinking and problem-solving skills will help them in ANY career. After all, you have to solve problems in your career every single day, right? So take some time after work to do a little science with your kids. Ask your kiddos questions, do simple experiments at home, or just watch a cool science video together today. Your encouragement could be the spark that ignites a lifelong passion! And today is a great day to start. #DadsMOVE #STEM #Science #PiDay

How’s your work week going? We are here to help - and we want to hear from you! How can we help you become a stonger dad? Reach out. Follow us. Together we thrive.

Hey dads, Valentine's Day is upon us! Not that a dad would ever forget Valentine’s Day, right? You know what #Valentine’s Day means: classroom card exchanges, candy hearts, and enough Batman and unicorn Valentines to fill a backpack. But for some of our kids, this Valentine's Day might also mark the beginning of their first "relationship"—the elementary school boyfriend/girlfriend phase, where holding hands at recess is peak romance. Or stealing a pen off the teacher’s desk that the other person really likes in order to impress the new boyfriend/girlfriend… #guilty Now, let's be real, these elementary school romances can be fleeting. Fast forward a few weeks (or even days!), and that first love might already be over. Maybe their special someone decides to play kickball with someone new, or maybe they just gravitate towards a different group at lunchtime. Whatever the reason, your kid might be experiencing their first real heartbreak. And that's where you come in. First and foremost, don't dismiss their feelings. Don’t let worries from your job distract you from supporting your kiddo. An elementary school breakup might seem small to you, but to them, it's a big deal. Listen to them, acknowledge their sadness, and let them feel their feelings for a bit. Then, gently remind them of the importance of friendships—how valuable and lasting they are, sometimes even more so than playground romances. And finally, the classic dad move: distract, distract, distract! Ice cream, a movie night, video games, or just some quality time together—these things can work wonders and help your kiddo bounce back faster than you think. It might be their first time dealing with a breakup, but with you by their side, it certainly won't be their last comeback from ??. #dadadvice #DadsMOVE

Alright dads of Seattle - it looks like #winter is finally here... and according to the forecast - there’s a good chance that it’s finally getting serious! Even though we don't always get buried in snow here in Seattle, when ice and snow do hit, it can make getting anywhere a real pain. Especially if you wake up to a car covered in ice and snow or serious frost. We know you might be rusty when it comes to handling a icy/snowy car. But don't worry, we've got some tips to get you on the road quickly and safely. First things first: Fire up the defroster! Start the car and get the defroster going right away to start loosening things up while you work on the rest of your car. And if your side mirrors or rear window have defrosters, turn those on too – every little bit helps! That may mean getting up a bit earlier than normal to have time to run the defroster, but it's the kind of sacrifice that we #dads love to make. Or... at least... sleepily make. Next up: Grab your snow brush or a soft broom and start brushing off all that snow. A good trick is to start on the roof and work your way down. That way, you're not just brushing snow back onto areas you've already cleared. Don't forget the hood, trunk, and headlights! Now for the tricky part: The ice. If your windshield is covered in it, grab your ice scraper and use firm, downward strokes. A plastic credit card will do the job if you don’t have a scraper. If the ice is being super stubborn, you can try some windshield de-icer spray. You can even make your own by mixing up three parts vinegar or rubbing alcohol with one part water. Just a heads-up: Skip the hot water – it can actually crack your windshield! While you're at it, double-check your wipers to make sure they're not frozen to the windshield before you try to turn them on. And gently clear any ice around the door handles and seals. A little cooking spray on the rubber seals can help stop them from freezing shut next time, too. Last but definitely not least: Clear off your car roof! I know, it seems like a pain, but trust us on this one. If you leave snow up there, it can slide down and block your windshield while you're driving, which is super dangerous. Or even worse, it could fly off and hit another car. Just take the extra minute – it's worth it. Your fellow drivers will thank you for it too... or at least they may not cut you off in anger on the freeway because your snow flew into their windshield while going 70. With a little prep and the right tools, you'll be ready to tackle anything the wintry forecast throws at you. Stay safe out there, and here's hoping for more of that beautiful (but not too snowy) winter weather! ????

The news lately feels…intense, doesn't it? As parents, how can we help #kids weather political storms? It can be hard for adults to wrap our heads around what's going on, let alone for our kids. Even if they're not glued to the TV, they're picking up on the tension – overheard conversations, snippets on the radio, the vibe in the air. We got to remember that kids are sponges. They're naturally curious and observant. They may see a photo online or hear a news story and be curious about how these changes might affect themselves. Plus, the current situation may affect their friends and classmates - and those friend's fears will weigh on our kids too. So, how do we help them make sense of it all without overwhelming them? Listen More Than You Speak - If they bring something up, resist the urge to jump in with your own opinions. It takes bravery for a child to discuss their fears. Ask open-ended questions like, "What have you heard about this?" or "How does that make you feel?" Start the Conversation- Even if they don't initiate, it's okay to gently broach the topic. For younger kids, keep it simple: "There's been a lot of talk about how people are making decisions. What do you think about that?" Focus on Values- With older kids, you can delve deeper. Talk about fairness, different perspectives, and what it means to be a good citizen. Create a Calm Oasis - Limit news exposure as you can. Constant news coverage can create a stressful atmosphere. Be mindful of what's playing in the background in your home. Find the Good News - balance the negativity with stories about people helping others, communities coming together, and acts of kindness. Routines Are Key - Stick to familiar routines as much as possible. Family dinners, bedtime stories, and regular playtime provide a sense of normalcy and security. Share Stories of Hope -?Talk about people who've made a difference such as activists, leaders, everyday heroes who overcame challenges. Encourage Action -?If they feel upset or helpless, brainstorm ways they can help. Maybe it's volunteering at a local shelter, writing a letter to an elected official, or simply learning more about the issues. Model Resilience -?kids learn by watching us. Show them how you cope with stress – whether it's taking a walk, spending time in nature, or connecting with loved ones. Remember #dads - You Don't Have to Have All the Answers. Political discussions can be complex. It's okay to admit that you don't have all the answers. The most important thing is to be present, listen to their concerns, and let them know they're not alone. By creating an open and supportive environment, we can help our kids navigate these challenging times and develop the #resilience they'll need for the future.

Hey dads, let's talk - Are you juggling fatherhood and workhood? Is workhood a real word? Doesn't matter really, because it's a constant balancing act to juggle your career and your family. Let's be honest, when jugging both, sometimes you feel like you're about to drop everything. But here's the deal: finding balance isn't about being perfect, it's about being there for the moments that truly count. Your career matters, no doubt. It provides for your family and gives you purpose. But fatherhood? That's a legacy. Those bedtime stories, those games of catch, those quiet moments of listening – those are the memories that will stick with your kids. They don't care about your title or your paycheck. They care about you. So what can you do to balance work and family? - Set some limits. Work will always pull you in, but it's okay to say "no" sometimes. Set clear work hours and actually stick to them. - Prioritize quality time. Even if it's just 20 minutes, make it count. Put down the phone, step away from the emails, and really be present with your kids. - Talk it out. Have a conversation with your partner and your employer. Let them know what you need to make family time a priority. You might be surprised how supportive they can be. - Cut yourself some slack. Some days will be awesome, others will be a total mess. That's life. What matters is showing up and trying your best. Finding balance isn't easy, but trust us, it's worth it. When you invest in your kids, you're shaping their world and creating memories that will last forever. And let's be honest, being an engaged dad is incredibly rewarding. So breathe deep, #dads. You've got this. Focus on what truly matters, and remember, perfection isn't the goal. Being present is.

DadsMOVE is a small organization with BIG goals. DadsMOVE (the MOVE stands for Mentoring Others Through Voices of Experience) started in the summer of 2011. Six fathers who had met at various events who all had children with behavioral health concerns decided that there needs to be more support for fathers who have children like theirs. At the time there were several family-run organizations that provided education and support, all were female-led and generally focused on moms. While this is great and needed, we decided there needed to be a male-led, father-focused organization dedicated to empowering fathers to be better dads, and more involved in advocating in the systems that serve our families. They all pooled our money together to file our incorporation and IRS 501c3. Dads MOVE was incorporated in the State of Washington in the fall of 2011. We then offered two fathers retreats a year. As more resources became available, we added training in a variety of topics across the state. After years of growth, we formed several partnerships across Washington, the United States and beyond. Over the years we have presented at several state and national conferences. In 2018, Dads MOVE was awarded the SAMHSA Statewide Family Network Grant that has allowed us to further reach more families. In 2025, we are growing our social media and community outreach as the journey continues…