Doug Baxter, pictured with his son Dean, has started a group for dads and their kids with special needs. Back from left, Joanne Clayton and Isabel and Joshua, Allison Clapperton from MECWA care with Emma Baxter, Diana Baxter and Bebe Baxter. 84954 Picture: MEAGAN ROGERS.
By Lilly O’Gorman
DOUG Baxter has two children with special needs, and felt he had nowhere to spend time with them on the weekend.
And he knew there must be plenty of other dads out there who felt the same.
So the Pakenham school teacher and father of three held his first ‘Father Time’ group for kids with special needs and their special dads last Saturday at the Living and Learning Centre.
The group isn’t just for dads, but it’s especially for parents who might not get to spend as much time with their children during the week.
Mr Baxter said he was looking for stuff to do on the weekend with his two children Dean, 5, and Bebe, 3, who have both been diagnosed with autism, but had no luck.
“I think there would be a demand out there for this sort of thing,” Mr Baxter said.
“This is a safe place and a chance to meet up with dads in a similar situation and have a chat as well.”
Mr Baxter said toys and activities such as painting would be organised for the session, with tea and coffee provided for parents.
Entry is a gold coin donation.
Father Time is every second Saturday of the month from 9am to noon at Living Learning Pakenham.
The next session is on Saturday 11 August. For details contact Doug Baxter on 0439 998 520 or email doug_baxter@hotmail.com
