Stay-at-home parents aren’t as common as they were in the past, and a stay-at-home dad is even less common these days. Remaining home with your children, rather than joining the traditional workforce, can be a huge benefit for many reasons. Spending more time with your kids, saving money on daycare expenses, alleviating the busy schedule two working parents keep, and being available for many events in your kids’ lives are just a few of those benefits.
While being a stay-at-home parent can be extremely rewarding and enjoyable, there are times you might feel alone or isolated. You might feel like you need to connect with other parents in the same situation that can relate to you and also offer support. While this can be difficult sometimes for both moms and dads, stay-at-home fathers may have a harder time connecting with each other because there are not as many of them around to meet in the first place.
If you are a stay-at-home dad or are considering transitioning toward that role, one of the most important things you can do for yourself is to find other fathers in the same position to connect with and enjoy. Joining a stay-at-home dad group can be essential to creating lasting friendships and finding support when you need it most.
Creating a connection is the founding principle Fathers EveⓇ. Celebrate, unite, and support our journey in fatherhood. Visit us to find a local group or host your own.
Making these connections and building relationships with other dads give you the ability to vent, have fun, and get advice when needed. Friendships amongst other stay-at-home dads are very valuable, and a great outlet. You might be wondering what you can do to find stay-at-home dad groups, or connect with other dads. Reaching out to find others who share your journey is easier than you might guess. Here are some ideas to get you thinking about joining up with other dads.

1. Find a Stay-at-Home Dad Group…Or Start One!

One of the best ways to connect with stay-at-home dads is to reach out to an existing group in your community and find one that fits your schedule and interests. Of course, that may sound easy, but you might not be sure where to start.
Perhaps the idea of an online stay-at-home dad group sounds good to you. You can enjoy the interactions from the comfort of your home, using social media and the internet to bounce ideas off of and get advice from other dads. Or maybe you’d prefer a group that meets face to face and enjoys activities outside of the home. Either way, finding the kind of support you need is invaluable.
A fantastic place to find groups for stay-at-home fathers is the National At-Home Dad Network. This nonprofit group seeks to celebrate and support dads who choose to remain home with their children. You can search for a group in your area using their website, and if you can’t find one local to you, they provide resources to help you start your own. Their website is full of information promoting stay-at-home dad groups and their importance. You’ll find a wealth of knowledge as well as terrific encouragement on their site.

HomeDadCon

In addition to online resources for stay-at-home dads, The National At-Home Dads Network also puts on “HomeDadCon” an annual At-Home Dads Convention to provide an opportunity for stay-at-home dads to network with each other and to have fun and relax.
Started in 1996, this annual event continues to go strong each year. You’ll have a wonderful time meeting other dads just like you and celebrating being a stay-at-home father.

2. Other Opportunities Can Lead To Connections

If you are a stay-at-home dad, there may already be opportunities for you to find and connect with other guys through activities you are already involved with. Consider volunteering for class field trips or to help at your kids’ school. You might meet other dads there who are just like you and also looking for a connection.  
If sports interest you and your children, use a volunteer opportunity as a coach or an assistant coach to meet new dads. You might not meet a ton of stay-at-home dads immediately, but if nothing else you’ll have an opportunity to get outside of the home and meet other parents who are also involved in the same activities as you and your children.

3. Online Interaction

Some fathers have a very hectic schedule and can’t devote a lot of time to a face-to-face group, but still would like to connect with other at-home dads. Following blogs by stay-at-home dads can help you feel less alone and provide you with relatable experiences. And you may be able to strike up a virtual conversation with other fathers in the comments section of your favorite blog posts.
Following a blog might also bring you to other online groups that can provide support and camaraderie and is a step you can take to connect with the outside world and enjoy what other like-minded people have to say.

4. Celebrate Fathers EveⓇ  

A fantastic way to meet other dads and celebrate the awesomeness that is fatherhood is to attend a Fathers Eve event near you, or host one if there isn’t one available. Fathers Eve is an event held the night before Father’s Day for dads to meet and celebrate “the brotherhood of fatherhood.”
The event is also a fundraiser that raises money to support advocacy for dad groups. The activities range from laid-back, intimate gatherings to huge parties. You’ll love spending the night before Father’s Day celebrating being a dad, meeting other dads, and having fun.
Fathers Eve is a unique way to celebrate dads and help build lasting friendships and support groups. Join an event in your area, or consider hosting one yourself and see how many new dads you can connect with through this common interest.
You take your job as a father and stay-at-home dad seriously and always put your family first. Fathers Eve is a great way to unwind, have some fun, and take a much-deserved break. Visit our Events page to find an event near you. You won’t regret attending this celebration of dads just like you.