Years ago, when I had the idea of bringing moms together, dads were nowhere in the picture. I took my own life as an example. Mr. Husband never needed a village. I think he married me, and that brought him plenty of villages. He just didn’t have for another.
What began as a small group of women became something much bigger, and I needed to accommodate more than just the moms. What I hadn’t anticipated is that I might also need to think about dads. Again, I was going by my own household experience I couldnt imagine Mr. husband going out to seek support. When I was raising my children, it was very norm that women handled everything related to the home and kids.
But as the group grew, I realized the shift. Many dads were stepping in specially in the families where women were not very active or very fluent in English.
That is one change I noticed—dads becoming equal partners—and they needed their own village. I was asked many times , "Why not a dads’ group?" It ended up being my responsibility to start one.
The dads’ group grew slowly, but they were not very active. One or two dads initiated something, and then it fizzled very soon.
During the family celebration last month, this idea came up again—why not have a dads’ meet?
So last month, I finally made plans and convinced Mr. Husband to go with me to a local brewery with the dads—and it was a blast.
Over a pitcher of beer and some fun foods, these dads talked and hung out together. I don’t think they talked much about disability, but spent time getting to know each other and then slowly talking about other things in life.
I hope they get to meet frequently and connect.
Because even dads need a village.
Anand came along for a short time too, if you can spot a man with headphones. They mixed up his order, I spilled his coke, there were kids making noise and it was very hot. But he managed, waited for his right order. Dad dropped him at nearby Mall so he could walk for next hour and half.
A simple Bengal cotton for Saree at work day.
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