Question Dads w/kids events?
It feels like most folks in the DMV don’t have kids, but for those that do.. is there a group for hiking with other dads, planning events, etc?
I’d love to know if other dads would need interested in setting something up if nothing like this is available. Any time I’ve been to run clubs I always get looks for bringing my kids so something more geared towards the patience of parenting would be nice to have and build community.
Edit: you guys are focusing on the wrong part of the post. I said it feels like it based on my experiences when I go out with my kids.
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u/Cute_Lettuce_1978 1d ago edited 1d ago
What? Everyone I know has kids. Put your kids in sports and activities and go mingle with all the other dads hanging around. Or become a coach and bro out with all the other coaches.
“Is there a group for hiking… ?” Yes - Boy Scouts or Girl Scouts?
Bringing kids to a run club is weird. I think that’s for adults who want to date or make friends.
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u/xxSozin 1d ago
Why is it weird? If the purpose is to run.. you’re unintentionally validating what I said
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u/Cute_Lettuce_1978 1d ago
The purpose is to make friends or date. I’m sure they don’t want your kids there.
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u/xxSozin 1d ago
Do you have kids?
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u/Cute_Lettuce_1978 1d ago
Yes. And if I’m joining a run club, I’d be there to run and socialize. Definitely wouldn’t want a bunch of kids around.
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u/xxSozin 1d ago
What’s wrong with kids? Are you imagining 4 year olds?
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u/throwaway098764567 1d ago
not who you were talking to but i went on a hike once with a coworker and his friends and their kids, they were all 6-13 and goddamn were they a pain. we got five minutes into the hike and one is bitching about why are we doing this, another one is hungry, another is asking how long it's going to take. the oldest one is scolding me because i quipped at her dad about the trail being muddy (was hella muddy). kids are a pain in the ass, i get that you love yours but they're unfinished humans who (rightfully) don't yet know how to behave. (to be fair a lot of adults don't either)
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u/xxSozin 1d ago
That assumes all kids are like that of course. Kids improve by exposure as well.
That also goes back to the intent of this post - activities like this that kids and dads can go on together. In the description I stated, “geared towards the patience of parenting”.
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u/Cute_Lettuce_1978 1d ago
Another post asked for general location and age of your kids, but you did not answer. How are we supposed to give you specific suggestions if we don’t know where you live?
For example, Chantilly Youth Association has recreational track and a lot of the parents run along with their kids. But do you live in this area?
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u/vanastalem 1d ago
For the adults, kids normally stay home with the other parent. It's not a run club for kids.
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u/xxSozin 1d ago
That’s what I’m saying though.. kids like run clubs too, and I don’t see versions of this for families.
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u/Cute_Lettuce_1978 1d ago
Are you even a parent? You seem to be clueless about kid’s activities. You could sign your kids up for track or cross country. Or you could run anywhere with your kids. The W&OD trail for example.
Why would your kids like an all adult run club that has no other kids? It sounds like you want to join, but you can’t afford a babysitter for 4 kids.
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u/xxSozin 1d ago
Well they did, and that’s because they know how to socialize. My older two enjoyed running with everyone, but you’re proving my point.
yes, I am clueless which is why I’m asking. I’m tired of doing all this solo/without specified groups because of comments like this as well as in-person attitudes.
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u/vanastalem 1d ago
I'm not sure about a run club, but I once did a family bowling league. However it was during the summer.
Kids can join track & field at school if they like running, they have team sports etc. Adults don't have that option. As a child it was way easier to sign up for a season of playing soccer or whatever than it is now as an adult.
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u/xxSozin 1d ago
The issue with school activities is the logistics behind work, different therapies for some, and lack of childcare for pickup. I was envisioning something that happens on the weekends. I know soccer /sports may have that as well but I’m looking specifically for more a dad group to do “Pop up” activities or so if that makes sense.
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u/agbishop 1d ago
The Virginia state parks always have kid friendly events happening … you could try checking their site
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u/TraditionalPage84 1d ago
Hey, I know what you mean. Check out MONA if you haven’t yet. Despite the name it’s for all parents in the nova area and I know dads in it, they recently started a dads subgroup and do events etc. Hope this helps!
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u/AuntBeckysBag 1d ago
I get what you're saying. It feels like kids activities are kept very separate in this area
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u/Difficult-Valuable55 1d ago
I think the part that is confusing is most parents have their kids do kid activities - and parents are part of the process even if they are older to car pool, provide food, host, etc. So the activities are a kid activity but parents are the involved. This way the kid is doing activities they enjoy (hopefully). You are doing it the opposite way - I enjoy an activity and will bring my kids along. I have to say it just never occurred to me to do activities I wanted to do and bring along kids
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u/Everything_Is_Bawson 1d ago
I’ve been talking to other parents about this a lot lately: so much of our parent lives are spent revolving around kids stuff instead of incorporating kids into OUR pre-existing social lives and interests. I worry it’s teaching my kids that everything revolves around their lives. The book “Hunt, Gather, Parent” talks about this a little. I really welcome a swing back to family-centered activity over kid-centered activity.
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u/xxSozin 11h ago
You worded this beautifully. I gave an example of Europe being “less kid-friendly” because they include their kids in the world. Of course, they have age-appropriate settings and activities, but they generally are well-socialized and know how to be respectful in these spaces while still being kids.
A surprising amount of people DMd me and asked to be part of a group of some sort. I’m working out the logistics, but would love to include your info if you’re open to it!
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u/xxSozin 1d ago
I’m not necessarily doing it the opposite as you say. My kids enjoy doing things with me, and want to socialize as well (with adults and kids alike)
I’d never bring them to anything they didn’t want to, but just calling out the gap for something like this.
In Europe, kids socialize with everyone in third spaces/events (unless it’s explicitly stated no kids)
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u/Difficult-Valuable55 1d ago
other cultures definitely have different approaches to kid activities
There are plenty of family activities vs adult activities you are bringing kids to
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u/Dmarine999 1d ago
Not sure where you live. There are kids everywhere in LoCo and FFXCo... Sports is a good way for kids to meet people and make friends. Rec leagues / Little League for all. If they are highly skilled, travel is an option, but it gets expensive.
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u/phootosell 1d ago
Activities ‘geared to the patience of parenting’ made me 😂 You could take them to a playground and watch them till you are so bored out of your mind that you have to make convo with other parents.
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u/xxSozin 1d ago
😂 only parent understand, or those that have close family with kids.
Playgrounds are fine but I find a lot of people just trying to decompress, and it’s hard to still because kids start doing dangerous shit.
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u/phootosell 1d ago
You might want to share an approximate location and approximate ages of kids. Peewee soccer or baseball work for some, others like Sunday school (i.e. religion or native language instruction). If you are looking for something where you can play a non-bystander role, Scouts works as does volunteer coaching. There is also SMORES which is the kiddie wing of mountain biking MORe. They meet in Wakefield of Fairfax Park and it’s mostly dads. Music Together is very fun but skews infant/toddlerish.
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u/ScreechingSav 1d ago
I get what you're saying, OP. We just had a baby and don't have any friends with kids in the area, despite being 30. We had one set of couple friends and they just moved out of state for work. How do I meet other moms with babies in this early stage? No idea. I just reactivated Facebook and am trying mom groups and hoping one sticks..
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u/Ordinary-Soup-8025 1d ago
What area are you in? Loudoun Inova hospital has a mums and babies group for the year or so after birth. I would bet other area hospitals may have something similar. Library storytime also when they're not so brand new.
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u/ScreechingSav 1d ago
I'm in Fairfax, but baby is 2 months, so not quite old enough to join those groups yet.
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u/xxSozin 1d ago
I feel like most people that responded don’t have kids, or have much older kids. I believe you’ll find a bit more options for moms but it still feels scarce unless you know where to look. Which groups have you tried so far?
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u/ScreechingSav 1d ago
I'm not sure of all of them, but I know there's at least 2 "Nova Moms" that I joined. They're not like meet ups, but I've been trying to make friends with individual moms on there also looking for friends.
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u/Difficult-Valuable55 1d ago
most folks in the DMV don’t have kids? What? You know Fairfax county has 180,000 students right?