St. Charles, Mo (KSDK) -- So-called "Daddy Meetup" groups are popping up all around the country, including in the St. Louis-area.
These days, a lot of men are finding themselves in a situation where traditional roles are reversed. Maybe they're a stay at home dad, or a maybe they're a working dad who takes care of the kids or just wants some extra time. The situations are endless. Either way, men are organizing play dates revolving around their kids. They're called Daddy Meetups and one of the groups in the St. Louis-area for fathers is called Papa Penguins.
The dad who started Papa Penguins wants dads to have a more significant relationship with their children. Men join the group on the website www.meetup.com. That's where they can also find upcoming play dates. They've done everything from bike rides, to visiting a car museum. Papa Penguins is a way to connect with other guys, whether they work or stay at home.
Kurt Zschietzschmann, Papa Penguins creator, said, "In some families, the fathers are kind of the backup parents and I'd like to flip that on its head a little bit," said Kurt Zschietzschmann, Papa Penguins creator. "And say, hey look, both parents are equally important in children's upbringing and fathers need to be doing just as much."
They got the name Papa Penguins because penguins are known as great fathers. They take care for their egg when the mother leaves for a long trip to replenish nutritional reserves.
For more information, visit www.meetup.com/PapaPenguins/
KSDK