Househusband New to Mumsnet

[hazz1991]

Hiya,

Just thought I would write a post to introduce myself and say hi.
I wasn't sure about joining this site because mostly seems to be just mums but there is some really good advice on here :)
Im a stay at home husband and my wife works and we've got a 3 year old called emma!

Would be lovely to meet some people and get chatting

Thanks :)

[Sparklingbrook]

Hello Hazz. Just join in. Chat is a good place to start, AIBU only if you are feeling brave.

[MidnightVelvetthe4th]

Hi, nice to meet you & welcome to mumsnet :)

We have male posters & some dads as well, get onto Chat or AIBU if you're feeling brave & dive in :)

[MidnightVelvetthe4th]

Ha x post sparkling :)

[annandale]

Hi hazz, welcome.

I'm an oldie on MN because ds is 11 and I've been here since he was a few weeks old well not here ALL the time. Not quite anyway.
Have you been a SAHD since DD was born? (RL name removed by MNHQ)

[tribpot]

Welcome to the site! I've reported your post but only because you've mentioned the name of your DD (darling daughter). We don't normally do that in order to keep things less identifiable. MN should be in touch to see if you want them to edit the post to remove DD's name.

How are you finding being a stay-at-home dad? My husband is/was one as well but because he is chronically ill he couldn't really get out and do things with ds, do you find it difficult being one of the only guys at groups during the day?

Dads are very welcome, both SAHDs and WOHDs (stay at home dads, working outside the home dads).

[annandale]

oh Gawd, and I repeated the name!! Sorry hazz will report my own post too.

[tribpot]

Don't worry, I don't think we have another Wikileaks on our hands

[Pedestriana]

Hello Hazz
I joined not long before my DD was born, and she's now nearly 5. Time flies when you find a fun place to be!
There are quite a few dads on here, so you're not alone.

[ThroughThickAndThin01]

Hi hazz, welcome.

There is a dadsnet (I think?) but not sure how active it is..

Anyway, a few men are regular posters on MN so hope you feel welcome here.

[tribpot]

Dadsnet is a board rather than a separate site like Gransnet.

[hazz1991]

Aww thanks so much guys for all your messages :)
Makes me feel very welcome!

What is AIBU? sorry i don't know all of the acronyms.

Dont worry annandale but thanks and yeah i didn't realise you shouldn't post the names I will just call her DD from now on!

Omg yeah time goes so quickly!! Cant believe she is 3 already and I've been a SAHD since before she was born. I lost my job but my wife has a really good job and earns enough to support us and so we decided i should stay at home and be a house husband. She took some maternity leave but then went back to her job.

I have found it hard going to groups though yep. I feel like a bit of an outsider trying to fit in when its all just women there. Do you have any tips as to like the best way to approach women at these club? I generally get on really well with women though and with DD we have common things to talk about :)

[Catzpyjamas]

Hi Hazz,
There's a list of the acronyms here
Welcome to Mumsnet! (and stay off Am I Being Unreasonable until you've had a good look round...)

[CuttedUpPear]

Hi Hazz.
You'll find that you can wade into discussions here without having to introduce yourself.
Many posters name change (NC) frequently in order to stay anonymous.

And you don't have to mention your gender on here - in that respect it's a lot easier than going to those parent and toddler groups!

[FreeWorker1]

Hello hazz

I am a Dad. Been here years and years under various names. Not many of Dads here but most of the time nobody knows or cares who or what you are when you post.

Dive in where you like but I stay away from overtly female areas men just don't have any experience or relevant views on.

Learned that the hard way a couple of times.

[hazz1991]

Oooh awesome! :) thanks for that. I will try remember them all lol.

Yeah that is a good thing! It does seem a really good site. I do definitely want to try and get more involved in the parent and toddler groups though for me and DD. Gets a bit boring sometimes being in the whole time.

[Pedestriana]

Hazz I used to take DD to various things at our local Library and at our local Children's Centre. Usually you can find out what's on at either - Barnardo's usually run the Children's centre stuff. The advantage is that you don't have to make a mess at home if they're doing sticking/painting/playdoh. It's all free too!
We also used to (still try to) go to the park if the weather's good. Just ambling around, feeding ducks, going on the swings...

[skankingpiglet]

Hi hazz
In terms of toddler groups just don't hide yourself away in the corner! I work in construction so I'm really not used to talking to and being around so many women despite being one myself, and as my hobbies and interests don't include classically 'female' pursuits it compounds the problem. I'd be very happy to chat to the odd Dad occasionally, but they just hide and make themselves very unapproachable on the rare occasion I see one in my experience. Also try a few groups as they aren't all created equal! Some are horribly cliquey, but at some the other Mums are just lovely and welcome you into the fold, callused hands and all

[hazz1991]

Aw thank you skankingpiglet and pedestriana!
They are really useful tips thanks.

I have a couple of mums that I have coffee mornings with sometimes which is nice.

But yeah I will definitely try to get more involved with the toddler groups and make an effort to approach women more.