Intro Post

[PapaDuck]

Hey Everyone,

I just wanted to introduce myself as our doula suggested I check out these forums.  She mentioned they're a welcoming place for all kinds of families - even those that may not be "the norm."

My wife and I are incredibly excited to be expecting our first baby in the beginning of February.  We've been close friends for over 14 years and have been married for a bit over 1 (yeah - who knows what took us so long!).  She has the more conventional career, while I'm an online writer and a canine behavior consultant (meaning, I make my own hours).  Even before we knew this baby was coming, the plan always was that I would be the one staying home - and now come May, that's going to be my reality.  I'm thrilled to be able to have this chance to bond with my new kiddo in this special way.

I've been looking for local activities (we live in a fairly large Metropolitan City) that I'll be able to do with our baby during some of the days, but many of them seem to be targeted towards Moms.  I know isolation knows no gender boundaries when it comes to staying home with a baby - this is one of my biggest concerns as I'm a pretty social guy.

So, hello.  I hope you don't mind having me around.

-Duck

[incorrigible]

Welcome, Duck!

While most of the members of this board are moms, you'll run across a few other dads too. Their input and participation is always very welcome. You might want to pop over to the pregnancy and birth sections, or even join the May 2013 Due Date Club to join in conversations with folks at the same stage of parenting as yourself. 

As for the activities being geared toward moms, most will be excited to have a dad participate too. Even in families where the mom is the one staying home, sometimes the dads will take the baby to their classes when they have a day off. The leaders and other parents always get very excited to see a dad so involved with his baby. I'm sure you'll find they are just as excited to have you at most or all of the classes. ;)

[IdentityCrisisMama]

Yes, welcome, Papa Duck!  Stay at home dads are so much more the norm these days, as I'm sure you know. I'd say AT LEAST 10% of the families we know have a SAD, probably more. We have a playgroup of about 10 families and there are 2 dads who are absolutely welcome and an asset to our group. I say, jump in!  Sometimes, you'll hear working and assumptions from folks who haven't adapted their language for SADs (I hear it from time to time) but I would let that roll off or try to improve things if I were you. Find a play group, join the library events, go to the museums. And WELCOME to MDC!! 

[CarrieHT]

Welcome!

Just a quick note to say one of the places I've "met" many SAHDs is on Twitter. You may also enjoy checking out The Good Men Project (goodmenproject.com), which seems to be geared towards modern men & dads.

Sadlu, my husband has gotten the side-eye a few times taking our 15mo to typical baby-centered outings. We are in a larger metro area, too, but it can pretty conservative around here. It may be our geography?

Good luck & welcome!

[mummamilk]

My "Mom's Club" Has fathers too.