I Am A Stay-At-Home Dad, Part 2: There’s No Other Dudes Here

I walked into the playgroup at the local Lion’s Club building, and was prepared for a room full of parents playing with their children. As I expected, there were mothers with their kids. But no dads. I was the only dude there.

Weeks passed, and I continued to go a few times a week. Still no dudes. I was the only dad in the group—ever—and now that six months have passed, I’m still the only dude around.

The Early Learning Center, as it’s called, is run by a few staff volunteers. Parents bring kids there to play, sing songs, and do crafty-type stuff. I live very close to this Early Learning Center, so it’s a breeze to go there when it’s open. My daughter loves going, and it is a lot of fun. It’s nice to play with her in different setting, and watch her try to figure out the other kids. She still isn’t quite sure what do to with them.

But being the only guy around is a strange thing for me. I used to have no problems being around women. I get along, perhaps, better with women than I do with men. I’m not a manly-man type. I don’t like sports, I don’t play with 4-wheelers or Skidoos or drink Budweiser beer. But sometimes, I do wish I could have a few guys around to balance things out. Frankly, if there were guys around, I’m not sure I would get along with them. But being the only guy…every time? It gets old.

The women are nice, to be sure, but it’s a strange thing for me to be in a sea of women who have similar concerns as I do, but from a wholly different perspective. We all are there to worry about our kids, and to make sure they are loved and given chances to grow. But I always feel like I’m the creepy dude in the room, the one that doesn’t belong. I feel like I’m an interloper and I need to find my “own” place to be with my daughter. I don’t think I cam make any friends there, really, because, well, married guys don’t become friends with married women very easily without a lot of problems.

So why do I feel this way? And where are all the fathers?

Most of the women at Playgroup work, in some fashion—some are work-from-home moms, some have only a few weekdays off, etc. But no dads? EVER? Why? I don’t doubt the love or devotion of the other dads—but I just wonder where they all are.

I know that I feel very lucky to be able to be with my daughter so much. Sure, I have my moments where my patience is tried, but it’s a time that will forever imprint on both of us. We’ll forever be closer because of this time together. Why aren’t dad’s cashing in on this more?

Why am I only surrounded by women? Where are all the dudes?

This is part 2 of an 0n-going series about my time as a stay-at-home dad. Follow this collection to read more!

Are you a stay-at-home dad as well? Or a stay-at-home mom? What are your experiences? Join into discussion and share your experiences!