If you are expecting, or have a new baby, and need extra support, here are some options are for you, organized by area of the metro! It may be good to check a couple of different areas, to find the closest location(s) to you. For resources specific to parents of color, click here. For rural area resources, check out our virtual resources below, or click here for additional options.
Queer Birth Project
The Queer Birth Project offers childbirth education and support groups for LGBTQ families, as well as no-cost referrals to queer and culturally aware birth professionals. They offer the following groups:
LGBTQ New & Prospective Parent Group : Second Saturday of each month 10-11:30 am (currently online). This is a donation-based peer-run support group for LGBTQIA families with little ones ages 0-3ish, as well as expectant and trying families looking to build community!
Non-Gestational Parent Group – 3rd Sunday of the month (currently online) 10 am CST. This is a trans-affirming and all-genders welcome meet-up.
Rad Dad Support Group
This group is for dads who are curious about being a healthier parent. There is a lack of resources for father and this group is a remedy for this societal let down. 8 week of commitment ◊ 1.5 hours of support on Thursday evenings; Location: 4801 1/2 Nicollet Ave South Minneapolis, MN 55419. Call 612.502.8926 or email jessi@moodyoctopus.com
Better Beginnings Dads Group
For anyone who identifies as a dad of a baby or young child(ren). 6 weeks of rotating relevant topics and discussion around things like work/life balance, supportive partner relationships, connecting with your little ones, and more. Plus, occasional daytime play dates for dads and littles for group members and their friends. Every other Tuesday evening at 7:30 PM at 1278 Selby Ave Saint Paul MN 55104. Sliding scale fee ranging from $30-120.
REGISTER at betterbeginningsmn.com/contact for more info and to join in!
Club Dad
A monthly community resource program including dinner and educational sessions for African-American men who are fathers who are at least 18 years old, and parenting ages birth to 5. Engaging conversations take place through the use of the Ujamaa Place curriculum which assists fathers with life transformation. Examples of possible discussion topics include: building positive parenting relationships, tools for stress management, strategies to overcome barriers such as education and employment and financial literacy. Club Dad is designed to support men in becoming better fathers and partners. Currently, all meetings are held virtually until further notice. Meets the 4th Monday of each month from 5-7 pm, and currently meets virtually, due to COVID. For more info, contact Club Dad Facilitator Thomas “TC” Chatman at thomas.chatmanjr@ramseycounty.us
Dads Skills Group
New & expecting fathers of infants & young children up to 8 years old. Fatherhood is an incredible journey. And it can also be difficult. This therapeutic learning group will help you enjoy it to its fullest. You will gain the information and skills you need to manage the conflicting demands that family life brings while connecting with other dads. Meets Tuesdays, 6:30-8 pm at PHA Wellness in St. Louis Park. Facilitated by Ryan Plasch.
Dad’s Group- Virtual group through Eden Prairie Clinic of Nystrom & Associates
Weekly group covering a different topic each week. Meets online on Wednesdays, from 11:30-12:30 pm. Topics include supporting your partner during pregnancy and beyond, postpartum transition to parenthood, parenting strategies, and relationship strategies. Facilitated by Brett Sharockman, MA, LADC. To schedule, please call 952-746-2522.
ECFE- New Parent Connection Group
While we continue on in this unprecedented time, ECFE support services for new parents has moved online! We have a number of virtual opportunities for you to connect with our ECFE Infant Specialist to receive support and guidance as you become accustomed to your new parenting role. Register for New Parent Connection here.
• New Parent Connection, birth-3 months, Virtual Zoom Class, Tuesdays 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
• New Parent Connection, 4-12 months, Virtual Zoom Class, Tuesdays 4:15 – 5:15p.m.
• Baby Virtual Home Visits, birth-age 2, as requested
For further information about Virtual Support Services for new parents, please email our ECFE Infant Specialist, Kathy Morris at kmorris@sowashco.org or for general inquiries, please call Brenda Griffin at 651-425-2701.
Note: Due to COVID-19, many of the location-specific resources are also meeting virtually, so if you are looking for options that you are not seeing here, please check in the location links above.
Birth Trauma Partner Support Group (private moderated Facebook group)
This is a group is a peer-to-peer support group for partners of those who experienced a traumatic birth. This group supports any partner regardless of gender, sexual orientation, marital status or other.
Dad’s Group- Virtual group through Eden Prairie Clinic of Nystrom & Associates
Weekly group covering a different topic each week. Meets online on Wednesdays, from 11:30-12:30 pm. Topics include supporting your partner during pregnancy and beyond, postpartum transition to parenthood, parenting strategies, and relationship strategies. Facilitated by Brett Sharockman, MA, LADC. To schedule, please call 952-746-2522.
Hand to Hold- NICU Support Group for Dads (Virtual)
This CLOSED (private) group will offer NICU dads a safe space to ask questions and have discussions about “everything NICU” without showing up in the regular newsfeed. Essentially this is a group FOR parents BY parents!
LoveCommaDad
An online support resource for dads who have experienced pregnancy loss, infant loss, stillbirth, created by a dad who has lived it. Request a virtual care package with supportive videos and emails.
Minnesota Gay & Bi Fathers and Husbands Support Group
Our group provides men with a safe and protective place where they can openly discuss hopes, fears, and challenges related to their well-being and the well-being of their families. The group is comprised of men who have been married and are fathers. The group’s mission is to help gay and bi men who are husbands and fathers develop positive, supportive and rewarding relationships with other men who share similar backgrounds and experiences.
Minnesota Dads at Home – throughout Metro area
MDAH’s mission is to connect Minnesota dads who are part time or full time caregivers for their kids.These connections are made through FACEBOOK; PLAYGROUPS & FIELDTRIPS; and DADS NIGHT OUT. We are happy to hear from you! If you have questions about MDAH, please contact info@mdah.org.
National At-Home Dad Network (Private Facebook group)
We want this space to be a place where ALL at-home dads* can feel at home, and to build an online community of dads who love their families enough to take on this tough but rewarding job. * We have a pretty loose definition of “at-home dad,” but one thing we are clear about is that you must be a dad to join.
New and Expecting Father’s (Tha Man Cave) (Facebook group)
Welcome to the digital man cave. Talk about whatever comes to mind. This is a place for people who may have the same thoughts, feelings, and concerns on this new journey.
Padre Cadre
A “just for dads” social network dedicated to connecting fathers online and in the real world. Connect with people and resources that can help you make the most of your fatherhood experience! You can also find other dads that are registered locally, if you wish! Participate in forums, read dad blog posts that keep you current on the latest shenanigans in the world of fatherhood!
PALS (For dads who have experienced a previous infant or pregnancy loss)
PALS has private peer support group for dads who are expecting again following a previous loss. Facilitated via Facebook.
Postpartum Dads
A facebook Support Group for Postpartum Dads, facilitated by a PSI Dad Volunteer. The group is a secret group, so please email info@postpartumdads.org to request to join.
PSI (Postpartum Support International)
- PSI Chat With an Expert- Wednesday Chat for Dads This is a place where dads, partners, extended family members or other support people, and professionals can find some answers and support from an expert – and from other men. You’ll find honest and compassionate talk about the adjustment to parenthood, information about how fatherhood can affect you, and some helpful advice. Meets the 1st Mon of the month at 7 pm.
- PSI Postpartum Psychosis Coordinator Michele Davidson provides support and assistance to women and families of women who are experiencing a postpartum psychosis but who do not need emergency support. Phone: 703-298-3247 & Email: michelerdavidson@gmail.com
- Online Support Group for Dads Meets online the 1st Friday of each month, 6 AM. Free online space for dads to connect with other dads and gain practical tips from managing stress, adjusting to parenting, Daddy Blues, or trying to figure out how best to support your partner.
Star Legacy Dad’s Grief Discussion Group (for parents who have experienced loss)
Star Legacy Foundation support groups are held virtually via synchronous online video and are encrypted for security. All support group facilitators are trained mental health professionals with first-hand experience and/or practice emphasis in perinatal loss.
The Dad’s Grief Discussion Group meets the 2nd Monday of each month 6:00 pm. If this time doesn’t work for you, there are also groups for Bereaved Parents, Parenting after Loss, and Coping with SUID/SIDS & Infant Death. Dates/times and to register (free) here.
Twin Cities Dads Group
We are dads of all stripes: married dads, single dads, dads who share custody, adoptive dads, step dads, stay at home dads, full time working dads, work from home dads, freelance dads, etc. We host Meetups several times per month, with our kids at parks, playgrounds, sporting events, and anything else that will be a fun time for Dads and their families, as well as a Dads Night Out. The only requirement to joining us is to be a dad. There are no group dues and no attendance expectations. Email: john@twincitiesdadsgroup.com or chris@twincitiesdadsgroup.com