What Is The National At-Home Dad Network (athomedad.org)?

Updated

The National At-Home Dad Network (NAHDN) is a U.S. nonprofit organization for dads who are the primary caregivers for their children. Its mission is to "champion a culture where at-home dads thrive — mastering caregiving, building brotherhood, and redefining fatherhood," and it does this through advocacy, community, education, and support. If you're an at-home dad looking for peers, practical resources, or an annual convention, this site is built for you; if you're a researcher, journalist, or sponsor, it offers statistics, press contacts, and sponsorship options.

Who it serves

The organization centers on primary caregiver dads — fathers who have taken on the day-to-day work of raising children rather than a paid job outside the home. It also serves people connected to that group:

  • At-home dads seeking community and practical advice
  • Dads considering or transitioning into at-home caregiving
  • Local dad groups looking for resources or a listing
  • Journalists and researchers covering stay-at-home fatherhood
  • Sponsors and donors who want to support the mission

What the site offers

The site is organized around a few main areas: Who We Are, Community, Education, Join Us, and Shop.

Membership

Membership is paid, not free. According to the site:

Option Cost Notes
Annual membership $35/year Supports the organization's work
Lifetime membership $500 Includes an exclusive "NAHDN/Dads Don't Babysit" coin

Both options are framed as supporting the mission; the lifetime tier is described as a more charitable contribution. Membership gives access to a members area and login.

HomeDadCon

HomeDadCon is the organization's Annual At-Home Dads Convention, bringing primary caregiver dads together from across the country. The site describes it as professional development for dads who treat parenting as their most important job, plus networking and a chance to relax. It was founded in Chicago in 1996, and the 2026 event returns to Chicago. A 2027 convention is listed for New Orleans.

Community and dad groups

The Community section includes:

  • Find a Dad Group — locate an existing local group
  • Start a Dad Group — guidance for launching your own
  • Add Your Dad Group — list a group on the network
  • Dad Group Resources — support materials for running a group
  • Dad Victories — shared stories from members
  • A Facebook Group for ongoing discussion

Weekly schedule and podcast

The network runs activities every day, including chats, book clubs, RPG nights, and a podcast. The HomeDadChat Podcast publishes monthly, with episodes on topics like tantrums, stress relief, and gaming through storytelling.

Education and press

The Education section includes statistics on stay-at-home dads and NAHDN DadX Discussions. The Press section offers press releases, news coverage of the network, and a way to request an interview.

Support and giving

Beyond membership, the site lists ways to contribute: Donate, Volunteer, Become a Sponsor, and two named funds — the Brian Dickson Memorial Scholarship and the Fathers Overcoming Adversity Fund.

How to get started

  1. Decide what you need: local connection, the annual convention, or general resources.
  2. If you want ongoing access and to support the mission, join as a member ($35/year or $500 lifetime).
  3. To find people nearby, use Find a Dad Group; if none exists, use Start a Dad Group and then Add Your Dad Group.
  4. For daily engagement, check the Weekly Schedule and subscribe to the HomeDadChat Podcast.
  5. If you're a journalist or sponsor, use Request an Interview or Become a Sponsor.

Things to know before you join

  • Membership is paid — the site lists $35 annually and $500 for lifetime; it does not present membership as free.
  • The convention is a national, in-person event with specific host cities by year (Chicago 2026, New Orleans 2027), so plan around travel.
  • The network is U.S.-focused and English-language.
  • Some content, like the members area, requires login; the public pages (statistics, podcast, group directory) are open to browse.

If you're an at-home dad who wants community, an annual gathering, and a national voice for caregiving fathers, athomedad.org is the entry point. Start with the group directory and weekly schedule to see whether the day-to-day community fits, then decide on membership or the convention.