Advertisement Two Big Wheels rumbled, leading a pack of scooters and pedestrians on a track that took them through the garage, around a sport-utility vehicle and down a portion of the steep driveway.
A few of the young drivers were unable to hold on during the curves, tipping to the right.
Others nearly collided with their dads, who kept a watchful eye trackside in folding chairs.
The men talked about upcoming bicycle tours and weekend plans, but the conversation never turned to work — unless you count the times they encouraged the kids to slow down or discussed the Hawaiian pizza they would serve for lunch.
Unlike some dads who leave the house for eight-plus hours a day, these men stay at home with their young children.
They left careers in teaching, retail and computers to raise their children.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, there are an estimated 147,000 stay-at-home dads caring for 268,000 children younger than 15. These fathers have remained out of the labor force for more than one year, primarily so they can care for the family while their wives work outside the home.
The recent gathering at Dan Garrett’s Holmen home was just one of many the La Crosse Area Dads Group has had since the group for full- and part-time stay-at-home dads formed last year.
Garrett started the group to meet other dads in situations similar to his. In a year, the group has grown to 13 members, with six guys who get together regularly.
Group members have gone fishing, hiking and bike riding, and have met at local parks, each other’s homes, the Children’s Museum of
La Crosse and local libraries.
But life as a stay-at-home dad is not at all like the country music song “Mr. Mom” by Lonestar, the men said.
There are dishes to do, meals to prepare and — if you haven’t made mistakes in the past and been banned from doing it — laundry to keep up.
“You can’t take naps,” said Jason Weber, 34, who stays home with Evan, 5, and Brittany, 3.
Because he gets a little “stir crazy” at times, Weber substitute-teaches in the La Crosse School District occasionally and works three hours a week at Valley View Fitness.
Garrett, who has been home with his kids for three years, agrees the pace can be hectic.
“It’s so hard to get things completed at times,” Garrett said. When 10-month-old Riley naps, Deej, 4, is interested in playing, he said.
Garrett left a job at Sam’s Club after his wife, Jolene, was hired as a clinical pharmacist.
“She had the better career going, and I just had a job,” Garrett said.
“I sometimes feel I should be working because it’s the traditional thing to do,” he said.
But through the group, he has found friends who understand the daily challenges of being a stay-at-home dad.
“Our personalities tend to mix well,” said Cody Wehling, 36, of West Salem.
Wehling was the group’s second member. He works full time three days a week driving semi and cares for Clayton, 7, and Alexi, 4, the remaining days. His wife, Dawn, is off late in the week, limiting the number of days the kids are in day care.
“It’s wonderful,” Wehling said of staying home with his children.
“It cuts down on the cost of day care, and it’s fun being with them.”
Wehling uses the days off to shop for groceries and work on household chores, allowing him and his wife to enjoy “family time” when they are together.
Sometimes the dads’ group plans family barbecues with their wives.
“Knowing these guys have done this is helpful to me,” said Joel Dylhoff, 29, who stays home with his 15-month-old daughter, Sophia.
“I know sometimes I get squeezed by family and friends asking, ‘When are you going to get a job?’ But I look at these guys and they’re fine and their wives work. It relieves a lot of pressure.”
For convenience, Dylhoff usually tells the curious he does freelance Web design.
Autumn Grooms can be reached at agrooms@lacrossetribune.com or (608) 791-8424.
