David Lammy is a father of 3, member of parliament and a champion for dad’s rights in the family. He grew up in London and represents the ward of Tottenham as a labour MP. He is also the Shadow Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Developmental Affairs.  David’s father was a charming, friendly guy but was hiding a problem with alcohol and could be unpredictable in his moods. He left the family when David was around 11 years old which has had a huge impact on his life.  After becoming a dad in his early 30’s, David realised there was a lack of support for fathers; particularly young parents. This has shaped his political career and he campaigns for an overhaul in the paternity system in the UK.  David also tells us about getting into therapy, the amazing support he gets from his psychotherapist, and raising children with modern problems and worries, such as knife crime.  This is a brilliant chat with an inspirational father and we’re so grateful to David for joining us 💙 Time Codes 1:42 – “He was a charming, friendly kind of guy... but he had a problem with alcohol" - David on his complicated relationship with his father. 5:51 - "He disappeared in my first year at secondary school...It was a big struggle for me" - The impact of David's father leaving the family. 12:55 - "I was fortunate, I had wonderful God Fathers… these were great, great guys." - The positive male role models who stepped up to support David. 15:22 - "I am now the father of three children, two older boys who are birth children and one adopted daughter." - David tells us about becoming a father. 21:12 - "There is a window where it is painful and you can get quite low and quite depressed!" - The challenges of parenthood - particularly the sleep deprivation!  24:24 - "There are moments when you don’t want to add to the burden, and there are things around masculinity and fatherhood that you feel you want to share with another guy" - Why having good support from other fathers is so important. 29:26 - "We just haven’t got the situation for fathers we should have... proper, paid, transferrable parental leave that extends for up to a year." - What David thinks paternity leave in the UK should look like. 36:37 - "I’ve got a psychotherapist because I can afford one… it is incredibly helpful" - David on accessing therapy and how helpful it is for him. 43:20 - "We tend to watch films… That is the way we can have a conversation about the challenges of race." - How David relates and talks to his children about race. 49:08 - David's Dad Superpower Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices