More and more fathers are choosing to stay at home and look after their children. You may call them "house-husbands," "stay-at-home dads," or "HomeDads" - the fact remains that there are now around 100,000 of them in Britain. That's more than twice as many as there were five years ago and the majority have opted for the role and are not looking for full-time employment.

HomeDads come from all walks of life. Some dads find it makes financial sense to stay at home when mum returns to a well-paid career, others juggle child-care with part-time work, studying or self-employment. An increasing number of single dads, and even grandfathers, are now the main carers of their children.

But despite the growing numbers, some men find it can be quite isolating looking after young children in the home, especially when most support and activities are still aimed at mothers. Home dads are still quite spread out and it can be difficult to meet others in the local area.

This is what prompted two full-time home dads to set up a www.homedad.org.uk, Britain's first interactive web site for dads bringing up their children. Dads can meet up, offer advice and support and share their experiences of hands-on fathering. The site has news, features and information, details on starting a playgroup and how to find other home dads. There is a bulletin board for messages and regular chat room sessions.

"Dads have traditionally just taken the kids to the park at the weekends," says co-founder Nick Cavender, who gave up work two years ago to look after his daughter. "But now more fathers are with their kids every day of the week. At last we have somewhere where we can get together, and not just online. We've arranged days out where dads can meet up with their children, just as mothers have always done."

And the good news is that for many fathers, staying at home is a successful and rewarding decision, as co-founder Simon Windisch explains: "Whereas my wife really enjoys her work, I felt I could take it or leave it. So I did, and it's been the best career move I've ever made. No pressure or no deadlines. Admittedly there's no coffee breaks either, but the job satisfaction is absolute."

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