What Does Membership in The National At-Home Dad Network Include?

Updated

The National At-Home Dad Network (athomedad.org) is a membership organization for at-home dads and their supporters. An annual membership costs $35, and a lifetime membership is available for $500, which also includes an exclusive "NAHDN/Dads Don't Babysit" coin. Membership connects you to a community of primary-caregiver dads, a members area, dad groups, events like HomeDadCon, and ongoing programs such as the HomeDadChat podcast and weekly online activities.

Who membership is for

The network is built around at-home dads — fathers who are primary caregivers — but its mission ("We empower at-home dads with advocacy, community, education, and support") and its community features extend to supporters as well. If you are a stay-at-home dad looking for peer connection, or someone who wants to support that community, membership is the main way to plug in.

What you get

Based on the site's own navigation and content, membership and the broader network give you access to:

  • A members area with a dedicated login
  • Community and dad groups — a directory to find a dad group, plus resources to start your own and add it to the network
  • HomeDadCon — the Annual At-Home Dads Convention, described as professional development for dads who treat parenting as their most important job, plus networking and relaxation. The 2026 event returns to Chicago, where it was founded in 1996; a 2027 event is listed for New Orleans
  • Weekly programming — the site advertises daily activities including chats, book clubs, RPG nights, and a podcast
  • HomeDadChat Podcast — a monthly series covering topics like tantrums, stress relief, and gaming through storytelling
  • Education resources — including statistics on stay-at-home dads and NAHDN DadX Discussions
  • The National At-Home Dad Network Facebook Group
  • Ways to give back — volunteering, donating, sponsoring, and named funds such as the Brian Dickson Memorial Scholarship and The Fathers Overcoming Adversity Fund

Cost at a glance

Option Price Notable extra
Annual membership $35/year Members area and community access
Lifetime membership $500 Includes exclusive "NAHDN/Dads Don't Babysit" coin

The site frames the lifetime option as a more charitable contribution. Beyond membership, the organization accepts donations to support its mission.

How to join or learn more

  1. Go to athomedad.org and use the Become A Member link.
  2. If you want to explore before committing, browse the Community section (Find a Dad Groups, Dad Group Resources, Dad Victories), the Education section, and the HomeDadChat Podcast page.
  3. To attend the flagship event, check the HomeDadCon page for details on the next convention.
  4. For questions or press, the site lists a Contact page and a press section with press releases and interview requests.

Is it worth joining?

If you want regular contact with other at-home dads, the $35 annual fee is the lowest-commitment way to access the members area and the network's community programming. If you're already deeply involved or want to support the mission long-term, the $500 lifetime membership adds the exclusive coin and avoids renewals. Either way, much of the network's public content — the podcast, dad group directory, and convention information — is visible without joining, so you can sample the community before paying.