NYC Dads Group Featured on Today Show

I was away on vacation this week with my family when I watched the Today Show segment they taped with our NYC Dads & Stay at Home Dads Group a few weeks ago. Now that I am back in front of my PC, I have several thoughts that I would like to share in this blog.

Overall, the segment displayed our group in a positive way. The producers were able to capture the true dynamic of our group in action in Central Park – having fun, relaxing, supporting each other, all while our kids are playing & interacting with each other. We have doubled in size over the past four months because of the quality and commitment of the dads in the group. I know that I am “in good company” and surrounded by other caring fathers, as Jeff Rossen stated in the segment!

I was pleased to hear that the number of dads groups in the last 6 months has doubled on meetup.com. I am not surprised as there are more stay at home dads out there as result of their own choices and the effects of the economy. There are not enough support services for dads out there so it is encouraging to hear that they are finding ways to connect with each other and avoid the isolation! Additionally, the segment was great exposure for our dads group and enabled other stay at home dads who watched it, to find & join us.

A few negatives – I prefer the term “modern man” (thanks Mr. B.) when referring to stay at home dads. Unfortunately, the term “Mr. Mom” was splashed across the segment – from the title, silly movie clip, and background during psychologist discussion…I sure hope we are NOT always compared to that movie or as the “real househusbands!”

I agree with Rebel Dad…the Today Show could have provided much more on this grand media stage on how the American Family dynamic is changing.

I leave you with a few stats that were included in this segment:

• 31% of dads would leave their job to stay at home if mom’s income covered all of the expenses
• 30% of dads would take pay cuts to spend more time with their family
• 39% of working dads report spending less than two hours with their children every day