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Why Join a Dad’s Group?

May 5, 2009 by Lance Somerfeld

NYC Dads Group at play with kidsI was surfing the internet again for interesting resources and articles for stay at home dads. I stumbled upon an article titled “Support for Stay-at-Home Dads.

The article starts with this statement…

“The number of dads who stay at home to raise their children is rising, and many at-home dads are starting dad’s groups for friendship and support. More and more dads are choosing to either share childcare part-time with their wives or stay at home with their children full-time. Despite the growing numbers in the at-home dad trend, many playgroups, library storytimes and parenting magazines are almost exclusively populated by moms. As any at-home dad will tell you, if you think being a stay-at-home mom is isolating, try being a stay-at home dad. There are some dedicated at-home dads out there who are setting up dad’s groups, dad-friendly playgroups and websites focused on issues and news stories that affect dads.”

Why Join a Dad’s Group?

Michelle’s answer: “If you’ve been resisting finding or joining a dad’s group or playgroup because you feel like you shouldn’t need to go to a support group, take a deep breath and relax. Dad’s groups aren’t group therapy, and you won’t need to reveal any deep secrets or insecurities. Meeting up with other dads and their kids can be a great way to spend part of your day hanging out with people in a similar situation as yourself, and a healthy social outlet. You can also learn a lot from other dads, like what to do when your toddler’s answer to every question is, “No way!”

As a stay at home dad in NYC, I agree that meeting up with other dads is a healthy social outlet. Otherwise, life can get pretty lonely. Before being an at home dad, I was used to spending my days as a teacher in a school where I was surrounded by teachers, parents, and a class of 30 students all day – so there was no feeling of being alone. Now, when your child is sick or the weather is lousy, and you do not make a plan to get out to a class or a playgroup, you could feel trapped all day where the only social interaction is between you and your child or phone/email.

Is the question, Why join a dad’s group ‘like NYC Dads Group’?

  • to talk shop with other dads about your child’s progress and development
  • to share best practices, enjoy successes, and vent frustrations
  • feels like a fraternity with guys who understand your situation
  • to support each other through a difficult job
  • meet a cool and diverse group of stay at home dads
  • have a place to go and something to do every week on a consistent basis
  • participate in fun and interesting things that you might not do on your own
  • engage in low cost events to navigate through this tough economy
  • enable our kids to socialize and play together
  • so you do not have to go through it alone

There are certainly more benefits! Any other dads want to share some…

Read the rest of Michelle Carchrae’s article: “Support for Stay-at-Home Dads: Find Playgroups, Support and Information for Full Time Dads”

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Filed Under: at-home parenting, media, NYC Tagged With: at-home dads, playdates, stay-at-home dads

About Lance Somerfeld

Lance Somerfeld, co-founder of City Dads Group, lives with his wife and two children in New York City. He frequently contributes to the conversation about modern fatherhood, work-life balance, shifting gender roles, and brand’s marketing to dads. He has appeared on local and national television, including CNN, Today and Katie. He has been quoted by The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, USA Today, GQ, Parenting and The Atlantic.

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