Niah Howell
Father, Therapist

When I became a dad, I thought I knew the kind of father I’d be. The truth? Fatherhood looked a lot different than I imagined. I was figuring things out day by day, while watching my wife thrive with the help of mom groups and communities that seemed to have answers for everything.

 

I was so grateful for that community, and I admired the impact it had on her. The support she received didn’t just help her, it uplifted our whole family. Meanwhile, I felt like the supporting cast instead of one of the two star players. Parenting shouldn’t fall mostly on mom’s shoulders. I wanted to share wisdom and get recommendations from my own peers too. But there wasn’t a space for that.

 

Then I started having casual conversations with other dads. And I realized something important: the challenges I thought were unique to me were actually common. Sleepless nights, doubts, juggling work and family,it wasn’t just me. Other dads were in it too. And every conversation left me feeling lighter.

 

That’s when it hit me: dads need community too. Just like moms. We’re not just background support—we’re one of the main players. And the truth is, the more I did and the more present I was, the better I felt as a dad.

 

So I created The Dad Cave—a space for connection, honesty, and growth. Not a man cave to escape family life, but a Dad Cave to share it