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Home › Articles › Stay-at-home Dads › Paternal Playgroups

Paternal Playgroups

The Benefits of an All-Dads Group

By Teri Brown

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Besides weekly play dates, another important aspect of White's group and other similar groups is Dad's Night Out. "The dads get a chance to go out and connect on levels outside of nap schedules, potty training and teething," says White. "Although, no matter how hard we try, there is no escaping those conversations. As with most parents, uninterrupted conversations are a rarity, so having a chance to talk to just one person is a rare treat!"

Making the Most of Your Group
Keep in mind that interests in playgroups wax and wane as circumstances change and children grow. Take this in stride and enjoy the group in all its phases, and remember that much of what the group does depends on its members.

Berger puts it another way. "It may sound tired, but dads get out of a playgroup what they put into it!" he says.

One of the joys of being a mother is connecting on a deep and personal way with other mothers. No one else has the level of understanding that a fellow mom has. Now, dads, who are staying home to raise their children, are finding the value in the same connections. And the children have fun as well!

Start Your Own Group

The following tips from Casey Spencer of www.Athomedad.com will help any at-home dad put together a playgroup that is rewarding for both children and fathers.

  • Give your at-home dad playgroup a name. If you aren't feeling creative, it can simply be The "Your Town" At-Home Dad Network.
  • Write an ad to post in your local newspaper, at churches or on community bulletin boards. You can usually find community bulletin boards at natural food stores, grocery outlets or libraries. The ad can look like this:

      "At-Home Dad playgroup in formation for fathers who are primary caregivers for their children. This weekly playgroup will provide fun and support for you and your children. Please call John Doe at 555-1212 for more information."

  • Call the local mom groups in town, as they sometimes get calls from other dads looking to connect.
  • Seek out other dads you may meet at the playground – they may also be at-home dads.
  • Talk to your local paper. They may be interested in doing a story about your new group. (Father's Day is an ideal time. Check in a few weeks before this holiday.) Your statewide paper may also be interested in doing a story about your group, which may attract more members.
  • Once you have a group of interested fathers, you can decide what you want from the group. Many are just happy meeting at a local playground or indoor park; other groups plan activities such as trips to the zoo or children's museums. Also, decide if you want to do a dad's night out or dad's book club.
  • To keep your group organized, you might want to create a Web site, e-mail group or put out a monthly newsletter posting the various activities of your group. You can also add comments on what happened at recent events.

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