Dads' playgroup provides fathers with friendly connections

For two hours on a Friday morning, the men hang out, drink coffee and chat at the Lyons Early Childhood Centre while their children interact with other kids their age.

As members of the Dads' Playgroup, the men get to spend time with their children while also meeting others in a similar situation.

Group co-ordinator Nick Collins said it takes away the social awkwardness of asking another dad out on a play date.

"We just rock up and see how the morning flows," he said.

"If the kids are happy playing by themselves, that's what they do. If we want to get them in a group and paint, that's what we do. Whoever has a bright idea, we run with that."

Mr Collins said while he worked four days a week, some of the other dads were stay-at-home parents.

"Some dads don't have many adults to talk to," he said.

"For me, I wanted to take [my son] Charlie out as a way to give my wife a break, she stays at home and looks after him. I saw it as an opportunity for me to mix with other people who are in the same situation."

A core group of about four dads go every week to the playgroup, but Mr Collins said many others were always coming and going. He said the group reminds him of the television show House Husbands, but without the drama.

"The reason we all come I think is to give the kids a chance to socialise, but also for us to just hang around and have a good chat," he said.

"No subject is off limits, this is a fairly non-judgmental, no-expectations kind of group.

"There is a kind of easiness here too. There is a shared responsibility. None of us let the other kids get in any danger. We're establishing a bit of a community here, I feel like we can trust each other to look after our kids even if it's just for five minutes while we have an in-depth conversation."

The Lyons Dads' Playgroup runs from 10.30am to noon on Fridays.

For more information phone Playgroups ACT on 1800 171 882.