In 2013 Michael Ray found himself in a position not too many men experience. This was the year he became the sole parent of his two-year-old daughter Charlie. A few years later Michael and Charlie were in the media after Michael was told he couldn’t assist his daughter backstage at her ballet concert. This made waves across the globe and Michael soon found himself in the position of role model and somewhat hero in dads circles. 

Pablo Miller discusses Michael Ray's new book 'Who Knew?" 

Who Knew? explores global issues around parenting past and present and discusses how we must change our ideologies instead of conforming to the status quo.  

A great gift for Father's Day ! 

 They might be known for their bad jokes, but mental health is seriously affecting new dads during the first years of parenthood. New research has revealed just how many men are having a tough time adjusting. 

Click on the link below to listen to the panel discussion using the following passcode:

 Access Passcode: &B6%ghKy

Listen to  Michael Ray, Elliott Rae and Han-Son Lee discuss modern-day fathering, and how they are champions for breaking the gender and parenting stereotypes. They delve into the workplace and encourage fathers to dispel the myths about fathers being only 'breadwinners' and 'secondary carer's. 

As Michael says , dads should "leave work  loud and leave proud", showing their colleagues that it is okay, in fact absolutely the right thing, to collect your child from school, attend sports day, etc.  

These three giants tackle topics that have needed to be tackled head- on for a while! 

Where it all started! 

The interview with Neil Mitchell on 3AW discussing the ban from Charlie's ballet concert. 

So much has happened since then and I am always so humbled by the support that I received from so many people. 

This shows that the outdated gender expectations are slowly being chipped away and Dads are stepping up and taking an active roll in rearing the next generation 

 Michael Ray outlines why the discussion around single and working parents must change .

George and Michael talk about outdated gender expectation, about maternal gate keeping that promotes mum-shaming and changing the perceptions that fathers are merely baby- sitters but rather PARENTS!

Men need to be held equally responsible for raising the next generation.

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Watch this month’s CRAZY to SANITY LIVE replay, Fatherhood: Live From The Heart Without Reservations.

https://youtu.be/ISQPTfJAgPg

Michael Ray says ‘I want my daughter to see me as a failure, to see me handle it as good as my successes. If I wear the problem solver’s and protector’s hat all the time, then she won't be able to make decisions.’

He continues, ‘when we are taught to excuse and accept violations of your rights, also our values by people with authority such as parents/grandparents/guardians, coaches, teachers and impactful role models in our early years, that leads us to believe that extrinsic rewards for behaviour are more valuable than intrinsic rewards for behaviour.’

Would you agree?

Such an insightful conversation about fatherhood and Michael’s journey has encouraged him to break the mould of a male stereotypes, to overcome male stigmas, and allow men and fathers, to focus on raising children with needed and expected ethics, to allow our children to grow up with confidence and their own uniqueness.

It’s an unfiltered and unadulterated look at what life is like from a man’s perspective.

Here's the link to the replay, https://youtu.be/ISQPTfJAgPg

Please, like, share to raise awareness of these conversations, and the more men who are willing to express their often unheard views, the more understanding and connection humanity can share.

#ManyMenManyConversations #Relationships #Fatherhood #Parenting #Communication #Vulnerability #YouAreNotAlone #AskForHelp #COVID19

 In this episode Darren chats with Michael who has had some interesting experiences as a single father. He also talks about what changes need to happen in order to support men and fatherhood. 

Darren has a diverse professional background. After working in radio, advertising and as a puppeteer, Darren started his Early Childhood career in earnest 18 years ago. He draws from his experience as a childcare centre manager in his current position as a lecturer in Early Childhood. His expertise and knowledge of the challenges that arise when working with young children and their parents, has informed his work with programs such as Relationship Australia’s FUN 4 KIDS (Fathers Utilizing Networks for Kids) and the residential program at the O’Connell Family Centre in Melbourne.

Darren has a passion for working to educate, inform and empower fathers and this lead him to work with the Mercy for Women Heidelberg where he designed and facilitated a 2-year pilot program of ante-natal classes for new fathers. He also delivers the Dads and Bubs sessions at St. Vincents & Mercy Private Hospital.

Darren also consults privately with parents who have young children with sleep/settling and behaviour problems and is a regular contributor to community discussions regarding the role of Dads in contemporary families.  If these things are not enough to keep him busy, Darren is also a registered Marriage Celebrant.

Darren lives in a modern blended family home in a Melbourne suburb with his four children and his second wife.

Michael contributes to a panel discussion -Bouncing back from challenging career times

Sali Midjek-Conway talks to a panel of women and men to discuss how they bounced back from challenging career times.

As wives, mothers and carers lockdown has not been kind to women. Now is the time to focus on you.

Hear from our experts on how to stay relevant, be comfortable with self-promotion, develop your personal brand, bounce back from adversity and develop both confidence and resilience.

Driving forward a career alongside being present for your family is hard. We recognise that. Allow our carefully curated selection of experts offer their advice on some of the challenges, issues and hurdles we all face, so that you can make your career work for you.

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 Recently had a chat with Pablo Miller from Perth's Triple MMM about some some of the outdated gender expectations around contemporary #fatherhood 

 Why aren’t there change tables in male toilets? And why isn’t fatherhood spoken of in the same glowing terms as motherhood? Single Dad & Blogger Michael Ray joined Pablo to discuss modern day fatherhood and what we can all do collectively better. 

Mama You've Got This is the home of the Experts. They connect Mamas with Experts and each other. They empower parents on their journey with Expert knowledge and support.

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Mama You've Got This is a Modern village offering an online program designed by Christy and Freya, two Melbourne Mamas, who have 7 children between them. They have sought out the very best baby and Mama health and wellness Experts and designed a program relevant to each age and stage of your baby's development which will give you all the knowledge you need to be the best Mama you can be. 

https://www.mamayouvegotthis.com.au/ 

Michael Ray is a dad, single parent, a friend and an inspiration to his daughter Charlie. He writes to inspire all with his experiences, struggles and his unconditional love. He kindly shared this article with us and we hope his Father's Day went exactly as he planned. Happy Father's Day to all Dada's 

 That’s just how it is in the world of dad’s we’re larger-than-life, we’re heroic in nature and funny as all get out. So on this Father’s Day I will find a quiet moment as I try and digest a breakfast of pancakes and ice cream, sit back in my new pyjamas and raise the MY DAD ROCKS coffee cup and most likely shed a tear thinking about how lucky I was to have a hero for a dad and little legend for a kid. 

 I recently had the pleasure of chatting with Suni Sanchez from Human HQ, a mother of two boys, a best selling author and founder of Human HQ.   

At HumanHQ® they believe that parents hold the key , which goes beyond knowing how to change a nappy or feeding a baby.It's about having the knowledge, tools, resources, and mentorship to build a healthy relationship with our child from day one; to support your, and your baby's physical, mental, emotional, and social well being; and to create a healthy and harmonious environment.

SS: Yes, it takes practice and awareness to step back from the wishes and expectations that parents put on their babies, even before they're born. Of course, intention when becoming a parent is very important, but that's very different than just having a whole wish-list of what we want our child to be.Michael, thank you! I really, really appreciate your time and your wisdom.Any last words?

MR: When society talks about fatherhood in the same glowing terms as motherhood, inertia will be broken. When men are recognised and admired for their nurturing, and raising of the next generation instead of their income, position or power, a paradigm will finally shift.When men are held equally responsible for raising the next generation, women will achieve true equality, not only in the workplace, but society in general.It's time to move from outdated gender and societal roles that are limiting all of us. I'm a solo dad to my daughter, and my daughter - our children - deserve better than we are currently doing.

Thank you Suni for the opportunity and if anyone would like to check out Suni's web page please click on this link : https://www.humanhq.co/ 

Women will achieve true equality when men are held equally responsible .....

 He has continued to challenge, speak up and advocate for equality, reducing stigmas and calling out injustice. 

Recently appearing on Channel 9 with Madonna King discussing 'The Rules For Dating my Daughter"

Melbourne dance school lifts ban on Dad backstage at concert

 This Australian single dad has been raising his 5-year-old daughter Charlie for the past three years alone. In that time, the personal trainer and powerlifter has shattered conventional stereotypes by publicly donning his little girl’s nail polish on his toes at a recent lifting contest.  

Becoming a parent at 50 was so unexpected! Charlie is the best thing that ever happened to me, and I have scheduled my life around making sure that she is my main priority. 

 Little Charlie, 4, was going to be the only student without a parent backstage for her ballet concert until her dad came to the rescue. 

 EVERY Christmas, Michael and his daughter Charlie wake up to find Santa has left presents as well as a letter more precious than the gifts. 

 What does it mean to be a “father” in a time where the base identity of a “male” is being challenged, even called “toxic”?

What challenges or opportunities are present for me raising Charlie in a family where there is no mother, no significant female role model?

 l never know when Charlie won't want to climb in for snuggles... I hope it lasts for as long as possible". 

“Most nights she'll wander in about 1.30am with her teddies, which she'll arrange before she climbs in and drapes her legs and arms over me like a drunk octopus,” he says.

“I'm still at that beautiful, magical place of being a dad where I can just sit and stare forever in sheer wonderment watching her sleep, just thinking about it makes me all teary."

A single dad in Melbourne has found his five-year-old daughter's transition from home to kindergarten a bit of a challenge. 

So instead of crying over lost daddy-daughter time Michael Ray decided to motivate Charlie with heartfelt messages in her lunch box.

They are thoughtfully cut out by hand and say thing like 'You are a star!' and 'I wooly, wooly love you!' in the shape of a sheep.