There’s no doubt that when leaving the workforce a stay-at-home dad loses some social outlets. One of the biggest may be sports talk and activities. Most men enjoy the ins and outs of the games, and the kids probably don’t care that the home team blew a 44-point lead. The 3-year-old’s fantasy team prospects probably aren’t that great, either. But there is no reason to miss out on that athletic camaraderie of the office. Just take matters into your own hands:
Start an Office Pool
Miss taking part in the weekly football picks or filling out a bracket for the NCAA tournament? Then organize your own contests. The days of having to be in the office to take part in these extra curricular activities are long gone, especially with Internet sites galore to help keep everything from picks to standings in order. Ask your friends, neighbors and family to join up. Don’t forget other stay-at-home dads (and moms) you know. Then sit back and enjoy the games and hope your picks pan out.Be a Fantasy Commissioner
Just like office pools, there is no need to be in an office to find a fantasy league. Of course, with the popularity of these games, there is no shortage of leagues to find. Families, church groups, Internet message boards, you name it, there is probably a group that has a league. So why not form one with those you know. Who’s to say a playgroup can’t also have a fantasy league? And every sport has some sort of fantasy game any more. Even fishing. Like pools, there are plenty of websites – ESPN, Yahoo and CBS Sports – to name a few, where you can manage all the drafts, transactions and standings. So find a favorite sport, or all of them, and keep playing.Play Pick-Up Basketball
Get together a group of friends, find a recreation center where you can have the court to yourselves and start a weekly tradition. Many rec centers are available to rent out for an hour or so at off times, such as early on a Sunday morning. If you gather a big enough group, say around 12 to 15 people, it likely will cost less than $10 a player to get some exercise, have some fun and be social.Find a Softball Team
Office softball teams are just about as American as the Fourth of July. Without access to these beer leagues (or even more competitive versions) may have some stay-at-home dads going through withdrawal. But it’s not like softball leagues folded when you decided to watch the kids. Ask around. It’s possible you could still join the old office group or contact the league to see if any teams are looking for an extra player. Or, like the other ideas in this list, find enough friends and neighbors to form your own team.Host a Tailgate Party
Well, not really a tailgate party. But sign up for the TV package of your favorite sport and invite the guys over to watch the games. Or just make watching the home team a tradition. Make it a point to gather as often as you can – with the wife’s permission, of course. And make sure your buddies carry their weight in chips and salsa.
