Comments on: Playgroups: Dads, Just Say No.

By: Are You Weird? Are Your Kids?

Are You Weird? Are Your Kids? — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 02:29:51 +0000

[...] wear giant suburban mom sunglasses or carry designer diaper bags. We don’t adhere to playground social convention (kids play while everyone else huddles for gossip around the most popular mom), and a lot of the [...]

By: Father’s Day | Parenting blog, Caring for Kids | Keith Wilcox

Father’s Day | Parenting blog, Caring for Kids | Keith Wilcox — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 18:37:07 +0000

[...] of the fathers I know) do the above mentioned things on a weekly basis anyway. We always do those things, and much more. Participating in Father’s Day is tacitly admitting that it is the only day [...]

By: SketchBoy

SketchBoy — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 03:58:24 +0000

Huh. Lots of food for thought here.

I’m a stay-at-home-dad as well (my son is 10 months old) and I’ve been getting frustrated at the seemingly complete lack of local playgroups that allow dads, or even dad-only groups. It makes me feel better to hear someone say that I’m better off for it!

I do miss adult conversation, but that’s what the internet is for, right?

By: Denise

Denise — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 22:46:09 +0000

Yep. I’m not a fan of the beach playgroup scene for the very reasons mentioned above. I don’t care to partake in the mom-drama. I would rather take my kids surfing.

By: Jill

Jill — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 21:13:40 +0000

I completely agree about the playgroup thing. When I first left my job I always felt like I needed to join one just to get out of the house but whenever I would see a mom playgroup meeting at the local park I would eavesdrop on their conversations and immediately remember why I didn’t want to join one in the first place. High school all over again.
I do take my daughter to story time at the library and I used to take her to the Little Gym for tumbling class. Just like at the park she gets enough socialization.
To join a group of mom’s that get together for relaxation and social networking, I am all for that. Like you said, the kids will make friends wherever they go, and perhaps we should follow their lead.

By: J Cruikshank

J Cruikshank — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 02:31:52 +0000

Some women are wired the same as men as some men would make a better woman. When I was a young mother the goal was to avoid other mothers not join them. They were a boring lot. I see not much has changed except now they can more easily hide behind the grand status of “parent” “the keepers of the future”. When the tide rises, all ships are raised.

By: David Coakley

David Coakley — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 19:11:23 +0000

I’m with you on this one Keith. Our brains are wired VERY differently from our spouse’s and relative lack of interest in “dad-kid playgroups” and social networks for dads (online AND offline) may be evidence of that difference.

Great post on a topic worth more study….

By: Ethan

Ethan — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 17:51:47 +0000

The worst are those “play groups” that meet up at a coffee shop or such. They just sit around chatting it up while their kids look bored out of their mind…

By: Dennis Yu

Dennis Yu — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 17:33:22 +0000

Wow, but if you’re a stay at home mom “burdered” down with kids, wouldn’t you crave attention from some other moms– though your kids really should be the main focus here?