Dad's heartbreaking message to parents who ignore him at children's play park

12 September 2023 , 11:21

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He just wants somebody to talk to (stock photo) (Image: Getty Images)

A stay-at-home dad has issued a heartfelt plea to other parents who ignore him in 'any and all' social situations. The "lonely" man explained how mums usually ignore him when he takes his son to the play park, instead huddling together for 'women-only' chats.

Sad and frustrated, he has taken to social media to ask other parents to please give him a chance too. He said on Reddit: "If you see a dad at the park, don't be afraid to talk to them. We are lonely. I regularly find myself as the only male parent when I take my son out somewhere. The mums tend to all strike up conversations with each other, but I often find them avoiding talking to me."

He went on to explain how he ends up sitting around quietly for hours on end while his son plays with his friends at the park. "It's a lonely existence and being a stay at home means I don't get tons of socialisation anyway," he added. "Yesterday my wife, who normally works, had the day off and went with me to the play space. When she was with our son the mums immediately began talking to her. Give us dads a chance, please!"

Responding to his post, one dad said: "I'm a single dad and this makes me sad. I want to talk about the silly things my daughter does..." Another user added: "People at work were talking when I walked in, and asked if I had any cute photos of my boy. I got excited, thinking someone finally cared about my kids. Then I realised my dog and kid have related names and they wanted to see dog pictures. Which of course I love to share as well."

A third user said: "I tried chatting with a dozen or so mums when my twins were little (I spend a lot of time at parks and playgrounds), but it seemed like I was making some of them mildly uncomfortable so now I just keep to myself. I do try to say hi to dads when I see them alone.

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"One thing I have noticed is that mums are much friendlier when they see me out with my kids multiple times. I think the reliability makes me less of a threat. The sad fact is that a lot of guys are creepers, and there’s no special badge I can wear that 100 per cent guarantees I’m just a normal dad out with his kids.

"Most of the dad friends I’ve made out in the wild are from when my wife makes a female friend and then I swoop in on the husband. So that’s how I cope." One more user added: "The last time I talked to a dad, I said, 'Your son is so cute, how old is he?' He made a very big production about the fact that he was married and practically sprinted towards his wife."

Paige Freshwater