What about daddy groups?

[FatherDove]

I read and hear all the time about mothers getting together with their tots and "having fun." I was curious if any dads do the same thing? And if you do, what activities does your group plan? And what about family play groups?

If you don't see the proper response then please let us know what it is!

Interested to see what this surfaces ;)

[Dan Frank]

I feel bad that this is getting no response... but I can't help, as I dont have a daddy group, as I am not a daddy!

C'mon people, SOMEONE out there has to have a group!

[papabliss]

Hi Father Dov,

Good question, but a tough one to ask.

I don't have a formal dad's group, but rather several activities with several other dads, both with and without our children. On group of dads I run with all have similar-age children and we discuss them as we run. Sometimes we even have the same story about how we escaped the house for an hour or so run.

I also have hung around the formal playgroup that dw is involved in. It might just be me, but the conversation between the moms at the playgroup just doesn't interest me.

I wish I had more time with other dads with their kids, but for now, it will be spontaneous conversations meetings at the park, library, or grocery store.

Cheers.

[Dov]

This seems to be a dead thread, or at least just old, but I thought it was an interesting topic... and I'm procrastinating (see the roll call thread).

I went to one daddy group when dd was an infant. I just totally didn't get along very well. They were really into letting the kids play without them while they discussed the latest hoops scores (I only follow futbol.. ahem, soccer...) and their latest multi-tiered marketing ventures... Fine for them but B-O-R-I-N-G- for me and dd. Now I just don't have time to try to find such a group but it'd be interesting.

I go to a monthy mythopoetic men's circle which pretty much feeds my need for male companionship and brotherhood (they make more sense to me and don't talk hoops and sports I don't bother with). As for the little people under my roof, they play with cousins and their pals from the hood and fat ole' papa when they pester him off the machine... like now. Gotta go play... more procrastinating.

Dov

[Pantherking]

:hippie

Hello all!!! I'm new here as per advice by my lovely fiance. I saw this thread and it really interested me....

I myself am not part of a Dad's group, per se.... My love is part of a mom's group that get's together every weekend, but they HIGHLY encourage Dads to come and join in the community.... I was actually one of the first to come and brave the goddess zone that is the mom's group and I was apparently praised for it.... Ever since then, more of the Dads have come and now there are a core set of families, including my small one, that comes to the weekly get together. It's turned out to be a rather soothing experience, although it would be nice for just the Dads to get together and kick it w/ out the women around. I do see that the dads, including myself, do get together in a tight circle or isolates themselves at times to just rap about things. And some of the things guys just want to talk to other guys about. So, there is that little hinderance there, but it has worked out in the long run. I hope that offers some insight....

Umar.!

[PetiteFleur]

Okay, so I'm not a dad (just an interested mama :o )... but dh needs a daddys group like the breath of life! I have been so fulfilled by my get-togethers with other mamas, and I know it would be really good for him to connect with likeminded papas.

Dads, how did you FIND your daddys groups??? And if anyone out there is interested in forming a daddys group in the SF Bay Area, please let me know so I can get dh on the line!

Cheers, :thumb
Nicole

[jenoline]

I'm not a dad either, but just wanted to share an idea that we will be trying out tomorrow...

My DH knows some other Dads from LLL couples meetings, but hasn't had a chance to hang out with them. Several of us mom's are going out to dinner tomorrow and the dads are going to watch the babies and hang out together at my house. I'm hoping that this will be a good bonding experience for the dads, as well as a chance for the moms to get out without the babies. My DH thinks it's a good idea and is looking forward to it. He says it will definitely be better than being home alone while I go out and have fun!;)

[PetiteFleur]

Great idea, Jenoline, thank you! I think I will ask my moms groups if they want to get the dads together.

[tryinotoscarmykids]

Yeah I have been to several playgroups with my wife and can't say I felt like I belonged. I am also relegated to spontaneous conversations with dads of kids at parks and playlands when it is just me and the boys. There must be enough of us around but it is a question of networking.