Raleigh, NC - Looking for other SAHDs

[Hockeyfan]

I have been a stay at home dad for nearly 6 months. I have an 11 month old son. As most people appear to find, there are not too many Dads running around the malls or other places my son and I frequent during the day.

I am hoping to find other SAHDs with children around the same age to socialize with (both my son and I) during the week.

This is my first attemp at posting on any site. Hope it doesn't sound too lame. This is what happens when the wife is the breadwinner! I do enjoy the time with my son though and can't see myself doing anything else right now.

[tsquared]

Hi! I just got here too. Glad to find a place like this.

My son is almost 5 months old and I've been at home since he was born. I'm 32. I was working from home before he was born and hope to get back to half-time freelancing starting next month. (hopefully) I live in the eastern/northeastern part of Raleigh. We don't seem to make it out much yet between eating and napping, but my wife says I need to get out more. :)

I really do need to get out, see actual adults, speak in complete sentences, share fatherly stories, etc. My son likes other little people. He probably just likes knowing that there are people his size in the world.

We haven't quite figured out how to stay out of the house for long periods of time, but we're getting the hang of it. It would be great to get out, walk around, see other people, etc.

Good to know I'm not the only one around here! :)

[jeffus]

Hey guys! Welcome!

You're echoing my posts from 3 years ago!

This site has been a life-saver for me. Lot's of great guys all going through the same thing.

Glad you registered and posted!

Nothing is too silly or stupid to talk about (er, have you been to the Pub yet?).

[Hockeyfan]

Thanks for the kind welcome. I couldn't believe another Raleigh SAHD actually replied. First day none-the-less.

I live on the West side of Raleigh/Cary, near the airport. I am 31. My wife always says I should get out and do things, but sometimes I find it hard to find enjoyable things to do. I have been told of a place on Glenwood called ... I think Playspace. It is supposed to be pretty fun for kids of all ages.

Great to hear from y'all.

[Bollux]

Yeah, my gf says I need to get out from time to time since I am always with our son and don't get a chance to do much. Most of my friends scattered to the wind so not like I can just go hang with them. Most of my free time out is spent in the supermarket. lol Sad, I know.

[tsquared]

It's hard to describe exactly where in Raleigh I live. It looks like I live in the sticks, but Raleigh is quickly exploding out here. If the new section of 540 would ever open, I could say that I live very near the (future) Buffaloe Road exit. I'm a few miles north of Knightdale and about the same amount east of Capital Blvd.

My wife actually works down in RTP (off Page Rd). We go down to see her once or twice a week to have lunch and hang out for an hour. So, I'm in that part of the world some. I haven't actually looked into play places yet. His playing is still smiling, laughing, or being fascinating with things the light up, play music, sing, or spin. If it doesn't do any of those things, he attempts to cram it in his mouth. That's fun you can have anywhere! :) He's probably still a bit young for the play places, but I've not been to one so I don't know what all they offer.

Next time I'm on Glenwood, I'll see if I see that place. There was another one somewhere over where we used to get Chinese on Falls, but I think that was a more advanced kind of thing.

Really he's quite happy walking around (well, me walking and him in the stroller or carrier) and visiting with people, especially little ones. As long as he's had some rest and isn't hungry, he can be the life of the party.

If we can get a gang together to meet somewhere, that would be great. Definitely count me in.

[Anonymous]

Sounds great. I know in a few months, once your son gets more mobile you are going to need to entertain him more and more. Believe me! I was out for lunch at Danny's BBQ in Cary yesterday and he lasted about 10 minutes. He just demands interaction. At the end of my meal he was getting soooo fussy.

Yeah one of these days we should get together. Especially once the warmer (who am I kidding..its warm every day here) weather arrives and your son is a bit bigger and more mobile and ready to explore. There are plenty of parks and other things to do around here. Just gets boring doing them alone. And hopefully a few more SAHDs in the area will chime in.

I may be moving one of these days, but likely to Cary or Apex. Maybe stay in Raleigh. Wherever the most bang for the buck is, but I don't want to live in Knightdale. Its just too far for the wife for work. Its a great place to buy though. My friend (real estate appraiser) says its the place I should be looking. Great buys for the 2s to 3s range.

[Anonymous]

I am recently back from Iraq and also recently separated from my wife. I have an 11 month old and take care of him 3 days a week while my wife is working. Had to move to the area from Michigan to be near my son. I need to meet some new people. I know absolutely no one here accept my wife and in laws, and they aren't speeking to me. I would really love to meet up with some of you guys. Any good ideas. There is a place called "playspace" in downtown Raleigh. How about there and then we can brainstorm together.

[Anonymous]

Cool man. I tend to hit the parks now due to the nice weather. We could also do playspace though. I have been there a few times. They have a nice area for little guys. My boy is now 13 months or so and I am not sure if that is a good age for Playspace. Too big for the little baby area and too small for the other areas (he would get run over!).

By the way...Thank-you for your time in Iraq. That had to be tough. I hope everyone appreciates it as much as I do (and I'm not even American).

I haven't come across many other guys in the area to hang with unfortunately. Let me know and we can set up a time and date. Maybe that other fella (tsquared) could also come. I have heard Pullen (sp?) Park is good, but I have not been there. The one I go to most often is in Cary. It is at the Cary Parkway and Tyron Rd intersection. Actually behind the plaza. It is called Kids park of Cary or something like that. That place is great. Perfect for your 11 month old. Anyways let me know.

[Anonymous]

Going to this board to make plans is probably a little difficult. I would recommend by phone or e-mail. I can be reached at sinjasoulian-at-yahoo.com. I check it often because it is the only way my wife will communicate with me right now. I would give out my phone, but don't want to put it out there in public space. If any of you guys want to e-mail me, I will give it to you there.

[Anonymous]

Wow.....

I thought that I was it......me, myself, and my daughters! I see it's been about a month since anyone has posted here, but I am a stay at home dad in Raleigh to my 3 year old and 20 month old daughters...... Would love to meet others! I've been doing this in solitude for almost a year now, and would like to get out for some daytime guytime. I take my girls to Pullen Park quite a bit, so if anyone is interested in meeting up, please shoot me an e-mail - jscottgriffiths@hotmail.com.

[n8rboi]

bars? playspace? parks?

i take my son to the aquatic center @ pullen park occasionally and we're the only ones there. any swimmers out there?

[localgovt]

I'm just north of the triangle and I don't feel welcome in my little town moms group...I see that now that the weather is warmer that the chatter has slowed. Just wanted to see what is up with my brothers at home.

[Hockeyfan]

Yeah that sucks eh. I have had good and bad experiences with the ladies at the park. Lately though its been mostly good. Small towns must be even worse, but I still see the same faces at the parks I go to. Good luck.

[localgovt]

hockey fan; so are you glad about the game last night? I had mixed feelings about the sabers not being at the big dance. Small town life is not so bad the big city is only 20 miles away...spent some time at crabbtree vally mall today...my little one gets pissed if we spend the day in the house.

[Hockeyfan]

That sucks. I was going to go to Crabtree this afternoon. Actually I first thought about goingto Northhills. I haven't really been to that place yet. At least the BabyGap is at Crabtree and they have nice socks. Ha ha. Great. My life revolves around socks. They also have Cheesecake :P

No I hate the Sabres. I really hate them now after dealing with their fans. I almost got into numerous fights. They were very disrespectful. Kinda sad actually. Oh well. On to bigger and better things.

[Don-Dad]

I had read the Sabres fans were not behaving in NC. Too bad. We get the same thing from Toronto fans, last time I was at a game we almost came to blows with a drunk canuck, luckily his friends were ok dudes but overall they act like a bunch of arses.

Though I think they are used to being in that type of environment, I never saw cheerleaders at a hockey game before :shock: that just seems weird at a hockey game but I could get used to it bounce:

[Hockeyfan]

Yeah they were jumping on the hoods of cars and breaking the gift commemerative glasses that were given out and other missdeads. Lots of fights. Edmonton fans by contrast have been great so far. Gracious in defeat. Alot of Canadians go to the games in Buffalo too. Many are season ticket holders. Easier to get tickets there than in Toronto.

One of the groups of Buffalo fans after the game said some indecent things about my friends wife. It was him and his wife and myself. There was 8-9 of them. They made a comment saying she had a fat ass or something. After we had passed them and were about 15 yards away. My boy is an ex-navy 6'2 (as I am), and he is 220 or more. Big boy. I am not as big as him, but we walked back and they didn't want any part of it when confronted man to manyman. So we walked away and sure enough another comment as we got 20 yards away. At that point it was funny. I did meet some nice ones though. I was born across the border from Buffalo and down Highway 3. Not sure if you know that road or not.

[Don-Dad]

I probably taveled that road on the way to the Ballet :wink: I grew up in buffalo/angola, ny. I know alot of Toronto fans come over and I have no problem with that til about I over hear some crap comment about teh US, that or they dis the Sabres :twisted:

I will say there are a lot of "not so bright" folks in the greater Buffalo area. I'm not that fond of the city itself.

[jeffus]

There was a fight and a hockey game broke out! :D

So, have you NC guys gotten together yet? Just curious...

[Hockeyfan]

Jeffus,
Actually I have met with two other guys from this area so far. Both of them have been great and we've been out together a few times and individually a few times as well. As well there have been two or three other guys that had expressed interest, but due to their schedules and such we were unable to get together (slightly diff age of kids..nap schedule). There are still a couple of others that are going to meet up one of these days. So its been great.

How about you? Is it more of a place to vent, or have you ever met the guys from in here.

Don-Dad,

The ballet eh. Nice. I miss it. The American Ballet is not quite as good. Especially in NC. They don't quite get into the act par say. Upper body flexing is all you get. Oh well. As far as Canadians..There is alot of American trash talk up there. Mostly in good fun. Dissing the Sabres...we all do that :roll: Alot of friends of mine down here are from places like Tanawana, Lacawana and every other "wana" there is. As far as Buffalo goes, just don't take a wrong turn in that city. Not good. Trust me.

[jeffus]

Jeffus,
How about you? Is it more of a place to vent, or have you ever met the guys from in here.

I've met-up with three Dads here and haven't been disappointed yet. We've done Daddy & Kid events separately as well as family get togethers. The wives seem to enjoy themselves too, since their situation is as unique as ours.

Very nice to meet face-to-face and share in the Daddy fun. :D