Ask your father

Fergus Hogan , head of Waterford's Institute of Technology's Family Research Centre and dad to Lorcan 12 and Caelum 18 months…

Fergus Hogan, head of Waterford's Institute of Technology's Family Research Centre and dad to Lorcan 12 and Caelum 18 months, welcomes Reclaiming Fathers.

"This book calls men back into fatherhood and reminds us of the value and beauty of what we do. Benig Mauger is saying it's too much to expect mothers to carry the burden of parenting the next generation alone, that sharing the burden is sharing the joys. The overall tone was invitational, it is respecting men, and asking women to let go of some domestic power.

"The early pages describing the birth process affected me particularly. When I witnessed our second son being born recently, I felt I was reborn. The realisation of impending fatherhood can be a big shock to a man. There is nothing on the Irish book shelves which talks in an open and clear way around birth and pregnancy and involves men from the absolute start

"Fathering is about hands-on, active participation and this book explains well the value of just being with our children. It will feel a fit for those quiet men who take their children for a walk, fishing, spend time together.

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"But it is also challenging. Many men see the day-to-day stuff as too mundane and keep out of it. But this reminds us that if we don't get involved in packing the lunchbox, ironing a school shirt, sorting socks, then we're losing out on the caring and the nurturing too."