BUILDING A MINNESOTA
AHD NETWORK

(Adapted with permission from At Home Dad Newsletter)

Want to find other stay-at-home Dads (AHD) in your neighborhood? Below are some tips you can use to meet other at-home-Dads in your neighborhood and help us build our network of stay-at-home Dads in Minnesota!

With just a little effort, you might find some playmates for your kids and perhaps make a couple friends yourself! With the number of at-home-Dads growing, you can be sure you aren’t the only one in your neighborhood or town! Be sure to contact us if you have any questions. We are here to help!

1. Join MDAH. Membership is free and becoming a part of the MDAH network puts you in touch with our growing membership of Minnesota AHD’s. Increasing MDAH’s official membership helps us gain recognition across Minnesota to create educational and fun programs for AHD’s and their families.

2. Let us know that you would like to find other guys in your city or neighborhood, especially if you are outside the Twin Cities. We may have some unofficial contacts to help you get started.

3. At Home Dad Network. Check out and get listed with the At Home Dad Network. If we know you are working to build a playgroup, we might have already done this for you!

4. Business cards. MDAH has some standard cards that we use. You may be able to use some of ours or we can help you get your own. Then don’t be afraid to use them! Strike up a conversation with other Dads you see at the playgrounds, rec centers, libraries, parent classes and anywhere else you go. We also give business cards to moms in our ECFE classes, neighbors, preschool teachers, etc.

5. Draft a flyer. MDAH has a standard half-page flyer that can easily be adapted with your contact information. Or simply include MDAH contact info. Post it at libraries, rec centers, churches, preschools, etc. Be sure to ask permission before you post or lay out flyers.

6. Official MDAH flyer. For a more official general flyer, contact MDAH. We have a tri-fold flyer that we give out to ECFE facilitators, have available at special functions and occasionally display at libraries and rec centers.

7. Network with other local parenting groups. ECFE facilitators and Moms groups are usually very helpful connecting Dads with MDAH. You can often find Moms groups through churches and schools or just by asking other moms.

8. Media. Don’t be afraid to pitch a story idea about stay-at-home Dads to your local paper. Media attention can help get out the word about your attempts to create a group or a current group’s existing activities. One of the best times to pitch is a story is a couple months before Fathers Day. MDAH can also help pitch a story to your local paper. Sometimes the state-wide connection is an enticing angle.

9. Stay Organized. Be sure the Dads in your group know how to contact each other. Joining MDAH is one way since all members would be included in our directory. Scheduling playgroups in advance, especially one that meets at a regular location and time, is also helpful. MDAH is also happy to publish your playgroups schedule, and news in our newsletter, web calendar as well as including contact information on our web site.

You don’t have to do all of these but you will likely be surprised at what just a little effort yields. Your kids will benefit and you can interact with other guys who are doing what you do. Give your group some time to get to know each other. Initially, playgroups at neutral places like indoor/outdoor parks and playgrounds, zoos and rec centers are good for getting to know each other. Be prepared to be a little patient. Give kids and Dads a chance to get to know and trust each other before expecting more involved activities or trust such as babysitting coops, skill sharing, Dads Night Out, or in home playgroups. Mothers have been creating these networks for years and men have always done it well in the workforce. This is a slightly different venue for most men. But the possibilities are exciting so stick with it! And don’t forget, we are here to help. Click to contact us.