Baby-Wearing Dads Respond to Piers Morgan’s #emascualtedBond Tweet with Charity Dance Class

Morgan’s Insult Spurs Families to Raise Money for Dad Matters

A group of dads from Greater Manchester will take part in a mass dance class wearing their babies in slings, wraps and carriers in a demonstration against Piers Morgan’s recent criticism of baby-wearing fathers.

Responding to Morgan’s tweet last month that labelled Bond actor Daniel Craig as ‘emasculated’ when he carried his child in a ‘papoose’, the dads have joined baby-wearing dance class group, Dance Like a Mother CIC, to promote the safety and benefits to parent and child of carrying babies in slings.

The 30-strong group will come together to learn dance routines to songs such as Salt N Pepa’s 90s tune ‘Whatta Man’ while raising funds for Dad Matters – a charity aiming to help dads have successful relationships with their families and supporting them with mental health issues. 

The charity class, organised by Dance Like a Mother CIC and supported by the AJ Bell Stadium, takes place on Saturday 17 November at 10.30am in the Players’ Lounge at the Salford ground. Tickets costs £15 per family with all proceeds going to Dad Matters to support vulnerable dads and their families across Greater Manchester. The class has sold out within 24 hours and so a wait list has been added for a possible second class at midday to accommodate further interest.

Dance Like a Mother CIC (DLAM) group has been teaching baby-wearing dance classes across Greater Manchester for almost three years and has been praised for its inclusivity, positive impact on mothers’ mental health, and the promotion of bonding with babies and the safety and benefits of babywearing. The community interest company recently raised and secured funding to expand its work with young parents and those at risk of PND in Salford, with projects starting in the new year.

Nikki Baillie, founder of Dance Like a Mother CIC, said: “We actually want to thank Piers Morgan for his comments and ignorance. It’s upset a lot of us in the baby-wearing community but more importantly it’s brought babywearing to the attention of more parents and pushed us to put the plans we’ve talked about so much before into action. Although we've had Dads in classes over the years, we have never had a dedicated class for them and have been asked so many times if we would do one. So this is a great opportunity to do that. 

“His latest sorry attempt at riling people with his outdated and pathetic views means that money is being raised for a very deserving charity that’s doing great work for men’s health and building bonds between Dads and their children.

“Maybe he’s not been fortunate enough to grow up with a strong male role model. Who knows? But this isn’t about Piers Morgan. It’s about the bigger picture. It’s about men’s mental health and about true gender equality.

“We all recognise there’s a huge problem with mental health and suicide rates amongst men in the UK. Sadly the idea that men shouldn’t show their emotions still exists for many and Piers Morgan is encouraging that way of thinking.

“We’re working to change that and Dad Matters is doing a brilliant job in that area.

“Baby wearing is just another way of caring, loving and sharing an experience with a child. It’s quality time and closeness and a bonding experience. It’s not just good for Dads, it’s important for the emotional wellbeing of the baby too.”

Kieran Anders of Dad Matters UK said, "Dad Matters is a Home-Start project, initially delivered in Tameside, but now expanding across GM to support expectant dads to have better relationships. 

“This event is amazing because it really promotes the close and natural communication babies need to build a secure attachment and the fact that dads are doing it shows just how important dads are in their babies’ development.

“Dad Matters will be at the group on the day, talking to the dads and mums about parenthood and sharing stories, pictures and the overall message that communication and interaction with your baby are crucial.”

The event also celebrates International Men’s Day on Monday 19 November – a grassroots movement that ‘invites every man, woman, girl and boy in the world to come together and celebrate men and boys in all their diversity.’

DLAM has invited Piers Morgan to the class but has not yet received a response.

To book a place on the second event of the day, visit: https://bookwhen.com/dancelikeamother

Dad Matters UK go to 

https://dadmatters.org.uk/