Young dads get a chance to meet with other young dads

@JudyEv (331988)
Rockingham, Australia
April 3, 2024 7:23pm CST
We live in a gated lifestyle village comprising about 150 houses. In the three years, we’ve been here dozens of new houses, a school, a supermarket and a recreation centre have all popped up around us. Just outside our complex is a very popular but very small coffee shop. A servery opens into a covered area equipped with benches and seats. Dozens take their dogs and/or their babies/toddlers there to sit and have a coffee. Many go past our house, including a lot of men pushing strollers and/or prams. This would have been a bit unusual in my day; to see the men taking on this role. The village has its own FB page and our suburb also has a FB page. A while back there was a notice on the latter saying a casual meeting would be held at one of the outdoor barbecue areas for any dads, young or old, who would like to meet and chat with a few others. I thought this was a great opportunity for young/new fathers to meet with others. I think they meet now about once a month. The photo is of my sister's little cat.
16 people like this
14 responses
Anna
@LadyDuck (466074)
• Switzerland
4 Apr
Your sister's little cat is lovely! It is still not common here to see men pushing strollers, if they do they are with their wives, never alone.
3 people like this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (331988)
• Rockingham, Australia
5 Apr
It was one thing that struck me when we moved here but there are probably equal numbers of Mums and Dads walking children - and dogs! lol
1 person likes this
Anna
@LadyDuck (466074)
• Switzerland
5 Apr
@JudyEv Moms have a lot longer maternity leave than Dads here. Moms are allowed to stay home 14 weeks and receive the equivalent of $ 250 a day staying at home. Dads only have 2 weeks.
2 people like this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (331988)
• Rockingham, Australia
5 Apr
@LadyDuck I'm not sure what the rules are here but I think Dads get paternity leave.
2 people like this
rebelann1949
@rebelann (111989)
• El Paso, Texas
4 Apr
Well it seems role reversal is happening more often these days. Here it seems that when women become the higher wage earners their men eventually file for divorce but the role of fatherhood definitely has changed with more fathers taking that role seriously
3 people like this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (331988)
• Rockingham, Australia
4 Apr
I think there are a lot of house husbands around. Some of the men would be FIFO workers too; flying out to the mines for 2-3 weeks then coming home for 1-2 weeks.
2 people like this
rebelann1949
@rebelann (111989)
• El Paso, Texas
4 Apr
That would be hard on his kids.
2 people like this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (331988)
• Rockingham, Australia
5 Apr
@rebelann Yes, it is hard on kids and marriages. They get good money but they pay the price in other ways.
2 people like this
OceanTiara
@RebeccasFarm (87335)
• United States
5 Apr
What a kitty ditty. Yes Dads need connection too.
2 people like this
OceanTiara
@RebeccasFarm (87335)
• United States
6 Apr
@JudyEv Yeah like the Missus lol
1 person likes this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (331988)
• Rockingham, Australia
6 Apr
I'm sure some of them find it helpful to discuss stuff with other Dads.
1 person likes this
Juliaacv
@Juliaacv (49654)
• Canada
5 Apr
I think it a great idea. It is still very unconventional for the Dads, or as in our case, the granddads, to care for the little ones. My husband gets alot of praise for doing what he does whenever he takes the children out. The play groups that he takes them to are structured in the aspect that they have child care workers interacting with the children and parents, and him. They reinforce the positive habits that the children and the parents have, the parents chat, they have a coffee area in the snack room that the parents can enjoy a hot beverage while they supervise their children having a cold drink and a snack. It fosters good communication among other parents.
2 people like this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (331988)
• Rockingham, Australia
5 Apr
That's a really great way for a play group to operate. So many good things would come out of it.
2 people like this
Valerie J. Routhieaux
@just4him (314741)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
4 Apr
It sounds like a wonderful thing to do for young/old dads to get together. The cat looks so sweet.
2 people like this
Valerie J. Routhieaux
@just4him (314741)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
5 Apr
@JudyEv I'm sure they do too.
2 people like this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (331988)
• Rockingham, Australia
5 Apr
I'm sure they gain a lot of support from each other.
2 people like this
Shiva
@Shiva49 (26383)
• Singapore
4 Apr
Good to see bonding among the residents - young and old. The younger generation is hands-on when it comes to looking after home affairs with the gender divide getting blurred.
2 people like this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (331988)
• Rockingham, Australia
5 Apr
Yes, the divide is more more blurred than it was a few years ago. It's great to see Dads having so much more interaction with their young children.
2 people like this
BarBaraPrz
@BarBaraPrz (46175)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
4 Apr
Wish a supermarket would open up close to my home... Your sister's little kitty is a cutie.
2 people like this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (331988)
• Rockingham, Australia
5 Apr
She is much older now and she is still cute.
2 people like this
snowy
@snowy22315 (174710)
• United States
4 Apr
Aww cute kitty. I think the dad's group is a great idea. So many things seem to be geared toward mothers and babies.
2 people like this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (331988)
• Rockingham, Australia
4 Apr
I'm sure it gives some of those young Dads who are still feeling their way a safe place to ask questions and get a bit of support.
1 person likes this
vanny
@vandana7 (99681)
• India
6 Apr
What would they discuss there, I wonder. Evil Grin. But to be honest, we girls are smarter. We learn most of the things from our moms, when we are younger, so that we can make use of our time better. Guys on the other hand...waste their time. That is why they have to have these dad's meet. Maybe they will learn how to hold the baby right, how to make the baby burp, and of course, change diapers. Guys have to learn so much!!! Evil grin.
1 person likes this
vanny
@vandana7 (99681)
• India
9 Apr
@JudyEv The important word there is "useless". LOL
1 person likes this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (331988)
• Rockingham, Australia
7 Apr
They probably do share information. I think they would pick up all sorts of useful information, especially from older dads. They could also share how useless they feel sometimes - if they do of course.
1 person likes this
Kayla Tsukino
@kaylachan (62739)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
4 Apr
It's good to see more men taking more responsibility for their children. A little role reversal is a good thing. This just goes to show the trend is growing. Just like mothers, fathers need a place and chance to communicate with each other.
2 people like this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (331988)
• Rockingham, Australia
4 Apr
I agree. We don't take so much notice now but when we first moved here we were always noticing Dads with their little kids.
Judy Story
@jstory07 (135930)
• Roseburg, Oregon
6 Apr
Your sister's little cat sure is cute. That is a good thing for fathers to get involved with.
1 person likes this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (331988)
• Rockingham, Australia
6 Apr
Young fathers probably get a bit stressed at times, just like young Mums do.
Eva James
@wolfgirl569 (100062)
• Marion, Ohio
4 Apr
Cute kitty. That is a good thing. Stuff like that helps build community togetherness and that can make a place safer to live
2 people like this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (331988)
• Rockingham, Australia
5 Apr
That's for sure. Some young Dads could easily be struggling a bit with their new role.
1 person likes this
LindaOH
@LindaOHio (166289)
• United States
4 Apr
Your community has a lot of opportunity for socializing. That's a cute cat. Have a good day.
1 person likes this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (331988)
• Rockingham, Australia
5 Apr
I'm sure the group is really beneficial for the younger Dads in particular.
1 person likes this
M Cheung
@Beestring (13901)
• Hong Kong
4 Apr
Having a dads' gathering is a good idea. The cat in the picture is so lovely.
1 person likes this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (331988)
• Rockingham, Australia
5 Apr
The Dads wouldn't feel so alone mixing in this way and they might ask the Dads things they wouldn't ask others.
1 person likes this