Sharing stories about fatherhood while their children play has been a bonding experience for stay-at-home dads James Salter and Toby Barrett.
They met through the Knox Dads Playgroup, recently formed for children aged from birth up to school age and their dads and father-figures.
When James' wife returned to work, he decided to take a year away from being a primary school teacher to care for their two-year-old daughter, Indianna.
"This year, I'm a stay-at-home dad so I'm spending lots of time with Indianna and enjoying doing lots of activities," he says. "It's a new experience for me."
James was at a library when he saw a Council ad for the playgroup, which meets Friday mornings at the Knox Children and Family Centre in Wantirna South.
"It's been nice to connect with dads and share stories about fatherhood, whether it's about what we're feeding the children or sleep time or schools in the local area," he says. "It's an outing for the children - they get to come to a fun environment with lots of different activities - and the dads get to have a casual chat and connect with other dads while our kids play. It's a fun activity but you're also connecting with men so it's like a bonding session as well."
Dads can make new friends and access parenting information and support. Children develop their social skills and confidence, extend their language and learn early literacy through words, books and stories.
Toby, an accountant, was new to both Knox and being a stay-at-home dad to seven-month-old daughter, Lucy.
"I normally work full time but I've taken six months off to look after Lucy," he says. "When you have six months off, you're looking for things to do with a child - they need constant care. We're new to the area - we moved from the city - and so I was looking for places to go to meet people.
"The playgroup is a fun thing to do. It's a place to come - they socialise, I socialise. It's an event, it's something to come out to, it's something to enjoy. It's more opportunities to meet people. There's no expectations. You can come when you want, leave when you want, be here when you want, interact when you want. So, it's really easy because whatever your level is, you can do that."
Join the Knox Dads Playgroup on Fridays from 9.30am-11.30am at Knox Children and Family Centre, 81 Argyle Way, Wantirna South. For more information, call 9298 8348 or email [email protected]
