While chaperoning a recent school field trip, I was surprised at the number of chaperone dads in attendance.  As it turned out, several of them were stay-at-home dads or work-at-home dads.  When it comes to caregiving, stay-at-home dads are stepping forward in record numbers to take on the primary caregiver responsibility.  But just because men are increasingly trading in day jobs for diaper duty doesn’t mean that the job is easy, especially when it comes to finding support. 

Sure, there are support groups out there, like playgroups and ”mommy and me” classes.  There are even a few dad only groups sprinkled here and there depending on geography.  However, it’s still not unusual for a dad to find himself the only male attending parenting groups.  Sorry, dads, but truth be told, women continue to shoulder most of today’s child care, and they are still more likely to be the parent who stays-at-home. 

The good news, though, is that the Web is chock-full of terrific resources for stay-at-home dads–and aspiring ones, too–like stay-at-home dad blogs and online meet-up groups.  Dads can even find stay-at-home dad group and playgroup maps. There are also informative ”stay-at-home dad” books on the market, such as The Stay-at-Home Dad Handbook and “dad only” discussion boards. 

Of course, there are also products that make “Dad duty” even more attractive, like the Skip Hop Via Messenger Diaper Bag.  Oh, by the way, speaking of dads (stay-at-home or not), you might be surprised to know how much men appreciate toting around diaper bags that reflect their own style!  Talk about a great gift for “Dad” or the father-to-be–and one that let’s him know he can count on you for support in the parenting adventure!