What Is HomeDadCon, the Annual At-Home Dads Convention?

Updated

HomeDadCon is the Annual At-Home Dads Convention run by The National At-Home Dad Network (athomedad.org). It brings primary caregiver dads together from across the country for professional development as dads who treat parenting as their most important job, for networking with other active and involved dads, and for a well-deserved chance to relax. It is aimed at at-home dads and others who identify as primary caregivers, not at a general parenting audience.

What Happens at HomeDadCon

According to the organization, the convention is built around three purposes:

  • Professional development as a dad — treating caregiving as a role worth developing, not a side task.
  • Networking — connecting with other active and involved dads from around the country.
  • Relaxation — an explicit, stated part of the event, not an afterthought.

The framing matters if you are deciding whether to go: this is a gathering of peers who share the same daily role, rather than a conference where you sit and take notes on parenting techniques.

History and 2026 Location

  • Founded in Chicago in 1996.
  • The organization says it is "thrilled to bring the event back home in 2026."
  • The site also lists 2027 HomeDadCon in New Orleans.

If you are planning around a specific year, check the HomeDadCon page on athomedad.org for the current dates, venue, and registration details, since the site presents 2026 and 2027 as separate upcoming events.

Who It Is For

HomeDadCon fits you if you are a dad who is the primary caregiver and want to meet others in the same situation. The broader network behind it describes its mission as empowering at-home dads with advocacy, community, education, and support, and championing a culture where at-home dads thrive.

It is less useful if you are looking for a general parenting conference, a childcare service, or a family event — the stated focus is on dads as caregivers and on the community around them.

How to Get Involved

  1. Go to athomedad.org and open the HomeDadCon section for event specifics.
  2. If you want the wider community beyond the convention, look at Join Us on the site. Membership is available as an annual fee of $35, or a lifetime membership for $500, which also includes a "NAHDN/Dads Don't Babysit" coin exclusive to the organization.
  3. For ongoing contact between conventions, the network runs a weekly schedule of chats, book clubs, RPG nights, and its podcast, plus a Facebook group and local dad groups listed under Community.

Common Questions

Is it only for stay-at-home dads? The organization centers on at-home dads and primary caregivers. The convention description uses "primary caregiver dads," so the emphasis is on the caregiving role rather than employment status alone.

Do I need to be a member to attend? The site presents membership and HomeDadCon as separate sections; membership carries its own fee. Check the HomeDadCon page for whether registration is separate from membership.

What if I can't travel? The network's weekly schedule, podcast, and Facebook group provide ways to participate remotely.