At Lucas Shaffer’s house the day after Friday is “Dadurday.”
Shaffer makes a commitment to spend time every Saturday with his 15-month-old son, Gus. They go to the pool or a museum, or just spend some quality time together.
“For the most part, a dad wants to be a good dad,” he said. “I said ‘No more work on Saturdays. This is your day.’ Now it’s fun.”
Shaffer blogs about his adventures on www.dadurday.com, a blogging and social networking website he started for dads to share their advice and adventures with their kids.
The site’s name caught on after he tweeted about his Saturday adventures using the hashtag, #dadurday. After some followers started asking about his plans, he decided to create a website where working fathers, like himself, could share ideas about what to do with their kids.
Any dad can register on the site for free. The site has been active two months and has about 12 members. Shaffer hopes it will grow and plans to eventually add more features like a event calender, making it similar to Muscogee Moms, a website for local moms.
He also connects with other dads through Twitter, using the hashtags #dadurday and #dadstalking.
“It’s been fun. I like the fact that I have somewhere to put my adventures with my son,” Shaffer said.
Their weekly “Dadurday” adventures usually begin with a big breakfast.
“We make a mess in the kitchen,” he said. “We pig out, and then we nap.”
After a nap, they’ll spend some time at the pool before getting dressed for the day’s activity. Sometimes it’s a visit with family, other days is a trip to a local attraction. Recently the father and son visited the National Infantry Museum.
“Sometimes we even leave Mom at home,” he said. “It’s just me and my son. We go and do something we’re not able to do during the week.”
Shaffer said he values his weekends with his son, since his work weeks are busy. He owns Stand and Stretch, a company helps businesses create websites and network online. Even if he doesn’t take his work home, it’s hard to find a lot of time during the week to spend with Gus.
“He goes to bed at 8 o’clock,” he said. “I don’t get a lot of time with him. It’s dinner, bath then bed.”
Chris Snipes, a fellow blogger on the site, said he also enjoys his Dadurdays with his four kids -- Xavier, Maryelizabeth, Lucy and Caroline.
“I’m in the Army, so my weeks are generally pretty full. I leave the house before they get up,” he said. “I reserve Saturday to have a lot of fun with the kids.”
Activities vary, from going to the pool and Monkey Joe’s to trips to the Little White House.
“We try to keep it simple. Just something the whole family can enjoy,” he said. “Swimming is definitely their favorite at the moment, and going to Marble Slab Creamery.”
Both Snipes and Shaffer said “Dadurday” activities don’t have to be complicated or time-consuming. It can be a few hours as long as those hours are quality time.
“It doesn’t have to be anything spectacular,” Snipes said. “Children love connecting with their parents.”
He values his close relationship with his own father.
“I can call my dad any time for advice or help or support,” he said. “He took the time when I was growing up to be there. Being there, being present is an important step to take.”
Snipes has blogged on the Dadurday site about the family’s visit to the Little White House and planting a garden with his kids. He said the site was “pretty creative.”
“Social media has created an outlet for dads,” he said. “It’s a community and it’s a great opportunity for us to be the mommy bloggers.”
Sara Pauff, 706-320-4469
