Learn. Regress. Repeat.
Posted on June 25th, 2007 in friends, sadness, stay-at-home dad, surrounded by mommies
Music class started up again today. As usual, I was the only dad there. As usual, everyone was friendly and cooed about Boobaby’s pigtails. When the class ended, the moms broke up into groups of two or three to chat — none of which included me.
Again — as usual.
My heart sank, but I gamely and cheerfully waved and said “Bye-bye” to the socializing grouplets. The only response came from one of the babies.
I was doing so well with this SAHD thing. I got over not being invited on play dates. I made friends. I even started getting along with the Dad’s Group Dads, a little.
After all that progress, you’d think my famously fragile male ego could deal with a couple of minor jolts: a little ostracizing from one dad last week, one more lonely first day at music class today.
But Park Buddy is out of town, and without her I’ve got no one who sees all this nonsense happen and can laugh about it with me.
Will you be my surrogate Park Buddy for the week? Remind me that these new moms will get used to me just like all the rest? And tell me a joke and get me a coffee while we’re waiting?
Thanks in advance…
Yeah, I Twitter, don't laugh. 
June 26th, 2007 8:01 am
Hang in there Doo. We just changed from regular preschool to summer preschool and it is the same. Odd for me when other moms look at me like “Why are YOU dropping off this child?” As much as moms don’t get the respect they deserve for all the work they have done for many thankless years, dads get strange looks for being with their children.
One benefit I noticed though is expectations are different. If a mom shows up at a playground with a child with dirty clothes and food covered face, they get scornful looks from all directions. If a dad shows up and all limbs are mostly attached, he’s a champion care giver.
You are doing great!
bg
June 26th, 2007 9:03 am
You are doing great. I’m headed over to my tuesday playgroup from 1030 to noon, if you care to join us? Lemmie know.
And if not, let’s grab lunch tomorrow if you’re not busy with trip planning. (Maybe this should all be in an email … oh well.)
June 26th, 2007 1:08 pm
ditto my hubby.
June 27th, 2007 5:03 am
Okay, that seriously sucks. I would totally get our kids together for a play date and laugh at stupid clique behavior over a coffee. If it makes you feel any better I have been snubbed by the mommies at the park when not wearing make-up. Its not like eyeliner transformes me into a goddess or something, but whatever.
I live in Connecticut which is the land of talbots sweater sets, pearls, and coiffed hair at the park. When those mamas are ruling the park there is not a lot of parental chit chat with this nose ring spikey haired mama.
I can not really imagine what is is like to be the sahdaddy in that context.
June 27th, 2007 1:08 pm
I formally extend a permanent invite to any of our Fathers and Kids play groups. Of course Maine is kind of a long drive for an hour and a half play group.
Peace,
Brian
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[...] Weensy Holy Roller — well, I was a little sheepish. (If you’re keeping score, this was that same first day of class when all the moms were looking at me like a crazy man, anyway.) “Egads, what does that daddy [...]
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