--- title: How to Help Dads Connect with Their Child After a Long Absence description: Learn about NFI's latest resource to help dads successfully reconnect with their minor children after a long absence. image: https://www.fatherhood.org/hubfs/Images/Blog/NFI_Blog_reconnection-brochure.jpg --- [Skip to main content](https://www.fatherhood.org/championing-fatherhood/help-dads-connect-with-their-child-after-a-long-absence#main) - [![NFI mark](https://www.fatherhood.org/hubfs/NFI-Assets/images/NFI%20mark.svg)FATHERHOOD.ORG](https://www.fatherhood.org/) - [STORE.FATHERHOOD.ORG](https://store.fatherhood.org/) [![NFI_logo_blue_left (1) 1](https://www.fatherhood.org/hs-fs/hubfs/NFI-Assets/images/NFI_logo_blue_left%20(1)%201.png?width=149&height=82&name=NFI_logo_blue_left%20(1)%201.png) ![NFI_logo_blue_left (1) 1](https://www.fatherhood.org/hs-fs/hubfs/NFI-Assets/images/NFI_logo_blue_left%20(1)%201.png?width=119&height=65&name=NFI_logo_blue_left%20(1)%201.png) ![NFI_logo_blue_left (1) 1](https://www.fatherhood.org/hs-fs/hubfs/NFI-Assets/images/NFI_logo_blue_left%20(1)%201.png?width=119&height=66&name=NFI_logo_blue_left%20(1)%201.png) ![NFI_logo_blue_left (1) 1](https://www.fatherhood.org/hs-fs/hubfs/NFI-Assets/images/NFI_logo_blue_left%20(1)%201.png?width=89&height=49&name=NFI_logo_blue_left%20(1)%201.png) ](https://www.fatherhood.org) - [How To Build Strong Families](https://www.fatherhood.org/build-strong-families) - [Why Father Inclusion Matters](https://www.fatherhood.org/why-father-inclusion-matters) - Show submenu for Get Involved Get Involved - [Fatherhood Programs](https://www.fatherhood.org/solutions/programs-and-resources) - [Train Your Staff](https://www.fatherhood.org/solutions/staff-training) - [State, County, and City Agency Services](https://www.fatherhood.org/solutions/collaborative-services) Open main navigation Close main navigation - Show submenu for Get Informed Get Informed - [How To Build Strong Families](https://www.fatherhood.org/build-strong-families) - [Why Father Inclusion Matters](https://www.fatherhood.org/why-father-inclusion-matters) - [Father Stats & Infographics](https://www.fatherhood.org/father-absence-statistic) - Show submenu for Get Involved Get Involved - [Fatherhood Programs](https://www.fatherhood.org/solutions/programs-and-resources) - [Train Your Staff](https://www.fatherhood.org/solutions/staff-training) - [State, County, and City Agency Services](https://www.fatherhood.org/solutions/collaborative-services) - Show submenu for Get Started Get Started - [Find Your Stage of Father Inclusion](https://www.fatherhood.org/father-inclusion) - [How Father Friendly Is Your Organization?](https://www.fatherhood.org/father-friendly) - [Get In Touch](https://www.fatherhood.org/get-started) [Store](https://store.fatherhood.org/?hsLang=en) [Get In Touch](https://www.fatherhood.org/get-started) [Store](https://store.fatherhood.org/?hsLang=en) Show submenu for Get Started Get Started - [Fatherhood Data & Statistics](https://www.fatherhood.org/father-absence-statistic) - [How Father Friendly is Your Organization?](https://www.fatherhood.org/father-friendly) - [Other Free Resources](https://www.fatherhood.org/nfi-free-resources) - [Talk With us to Get Started](https://www.fatherhood.org/get-started) National Fatherhood Initiative Blog / [Latest Articles](https://www.fatherhood.org/championing-fatherhood) [NFI-Specific Programs & Resources](https://www.fatherhood.org/championing-fatherhood/topic/nfi-specific-programs-resources) # How to Help Dads Connect with Their Child After a Long Absence 2 min read ![Christopher A. Brown](https://www.fatherhood.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Images/chris_circle_icon.png?width=100&height=100&name=chris_circle_icon.png) [** Christopher A. Brown ** ](https://www.fatherhood.org/championing-fatherhood/author/christopher-a-brown) Chris serves as the President of National Fatherhood Initiative® (NFI), where he is responsible for overseeing the development and implementation of NFI's strategic plan and business model, as well as its operations and fundraising efforts.  [![NFI_Blog_reconnection-brochure](https://www.fatherhood.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Images/Blog/NFI_Blog_reconnection-brochure.jpg?width=452&name=NFI_Blog_reconnection-brochure.jpg)](https://store.fatherhood.org/brochure-how-to-connect-with-your-minor-child-after-a-long-absence/?utm_source=hs_email&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_Bi8Qu5OKhWUpdLh3X9IQeznJf5EpqVI90FAdUTXqu2yEKbke8YiBBiIch_fEnrq4dEMct) Two of the questions that staff of National Fatherhood Initiative® have been asked most often by dads is:  - **Do you have advice for me on connecting with my child, a child I’ve never known and who doesn’t know me?** - **Do you have advice for me on reconnecting with my child, a child I haven’t seen for many years?** Many kinds of dads have asked us these questions. They include never married, non-custodial dads, dads who are or who were incarcerated, and dads who have been absent from the life of their child for any reason (e.g. divorce). Do you serve such dads—dads who long to connect with their children, but they just don’t know how? If you do, then you now have **the opportunity to acquire one of the most vital resources we’ve developed**. It’s a new brochure entitled, ["How to Connect With Your Minor Child After a Long Absence."](https://store.fatherhood.org/brochure-how-to-connect-with-your-minor-child-after-a-long-absence/?utm_source=hs_email&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_Bi8Qu5OKhWUpdLh3X9IQeznJf5EpqVI90FAdUTXqu2yEKbke8YiBBiIch_fEnrq4dEMct) It educates dads on two stages they must pass through—with associated steps in each stage—to successfully connect with their child (under age 18) for the first time or to reconnect if once connected. When you get this brochure into the hands of a dad who longs to connect with his child, you'll help him learn not only **what** he must do but **how** he must do it—a process that will give him the **best chance to succeed** in connecting. He'll learn, for example: - How he can increase the odds of connecting or reconnecting through **self-awareness, honesty, a focused plan, and hard work**. - How to plan for and when to meet with the mother (or other main caregiver) of his child—and **what to say and ask **during that meeting—to **encourage her to give dad the "green light"** to connect. - His **options** in the event that mom (or other main caregiver) **won't allow him** to connect. - How to plan for and when to meet with his child—and **what to say and ask** during that meeting—so that he and his child can **lay the foundation for a successful relationship**. We released the brochure a couple weeks ago, and **it’s flown off our shelves. **You can **preview the entire content** of the brochure [here](https://store.fatherhood.org/brochure-how-to-connect-with-your-minor-child-after-a-long-absence/?utm_source=hs_email&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_Bi8Qu5OKhWUpdLh3X9IQeznJf5EpqVI90FAdUTXqu2yEKbke8YiBBiIch_fEnrq4dEMct). Just click on the small thumbnail images of the brochure's content, which appear below the main image of its cover. You can acquire it online through [FatherSource™](https://store.fatherhood.org/brochure-how-to-connect-with-your-minor-child-after-a-long-absence/?utm_source=hs_email&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_Bi8Qu5OKhWUpdLh3X9IQeznJf5EpqVI90FAdUTXqu2yEKbke8YiBBiIch_fEnrq4dEMct), or call FatherSource™ at 240-912-1263. [![he Benefits of Fatherhood Programs in Community-Based Organizations](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/135704/bbfbc796-8f3f-495b-a089-976b4f177f1f.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/135704/bbfbc796-8f3f-495b-a089-976b4f177f1f) Date Published: 07/10/2018 Last Updated: 07/10/2018 ## Learn How to Build a Fatherhood Program That Works Download this free guide for a proven 7-step roadmap—from making the case and securing funding for your program, to launching and measuring real results! [Get The Guide Now!](https://www.fatherhood.org/starting-a-fatherhood-program) ![7-steps-starting-a-fatherhood_program](https://www.fatherhood.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Images/7-steps-starting-a-fatherhood_program.png?width=700&height=700&name=7-steps-starting-a-fatherhood_program.png) [ Previous ](https://www.fatherhood.org/championing-fatherhood/first-things-first_do-fathers-really-make-a-difference) [ Next ](https://www.fatherhood.org/championing-fatherhood/how-to-deliver247-dad-in-four-weeks) ## Related Articles ### [Five Leadership Practices That Build Father-Inclusive Organizations Image created with GPT Image 2. Creating a father-inclusive organization doesn't happen through a new but isolated fatherhood program, staff training on how to include fathers, or ... Read More](https://www.fatherhood.org/championing-fatherhood/five-leadership-practices-that-build-father-inclusive-organizations) ### [Beyond Graduation: Keeping Fathers Connected Image created with GPT Image 2. Many organizations do a good job recruiting fathers and helping them complete a fatherhood program. But what happens after the program ends? How do ... Read More](https://www.fatherhood.org/championing-fatherhood/beyond-graduation-keeping-fathers-connected) ### [Funding A Father-Inclusive Effort For Non-Governmental Organizations Image created with GPT Image 2. Many non-governmental organizations (NGOs) struggle to identify funding sources for fatherhood initiatives and programs. After all, beyond the ... 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