RebelDad

Urban Baby Doesn’t Get It, Either

Posted on 13. Apr, 2010 by Brian Reid in dad groups, media, playgroups

Thanks to DadWagon, I went back and looked at an extensive Q-and-A the New York Times Cityroom Blog did with Erin Sheehan, community editor of major parenting site/forum urbanbaby.com, back in February. Here is the part that caught my eye:

Q: Where are all the stay-at-home dads in this city? How come we don’t have a support group? — Twowheeler

A: As a stay-at-home dad you are part of a growing breed. Fathers today are spending more time with their children whether they are working fathers or stay-at-home dads. There are even those men who work with their employers to create a flexible arrangement so that they can make up for some child care during the week while the mother works. I personally know of two fathers in my extended family who have chosen to be stay-at-home dads.

Companies and media seem to have picked up on this growing population and have been marketing specifically to these dads. Their offerings of more macho looking diaper bags, “outdoorsy” baby gear and attention in parenting magazines support the fact that it’s not just the woman who shops for or uses the baby/children items.

As far as finding a support group, ask around. Word of mouth can often get your far. Many dads are blogging to communicate their experience and share resources.

Also, the “At Home Dad Network” has a “playgroup search” on its Web site. Good luck!

While I am all for shout-outs about involved fathers are “a growing breed.” But the answer makes it sound like dad groups are hard to find in the Big Apple (“ask around”? *That’s* the advice?). In fact, there is a hugely successful NYC group already out there. They’ve been on TV. They’re a top Google hit for “NYC at home dads,” “NYC stay at home dads,” etc. They’re not exactly hidden.

But Sheehan didn’t bother firing up Google. Instead, she linked to a near-defunct site with an out of date playgroup list.

Sheesh …