Why Join a Dad’s Group?

I 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”