This is the inaugural (yes, not the first annual as some people might say) blog on homedaddys.com and it feels great to actually get the ball rolling. I am going to be honest, I was a little hesitant to start my own site and do my own blog about being a stay-at-home dad, but then again what do I have to lose?
Yes, I am not the breadwinner of the family but I have still have a lot to do trying to take care of a 3-year old at home. Some people look at me as “not having any balls” since my wife is the one that pays all the bills, but I’ve come to grow and appreciate my part in this thing we call life (at least I keep telling myself that).
My wife does accounting work and is very successful, plus she brings home a ton more than I ever will have made. So a few years ago when I lost my job and we had a little one around the house, we decided that we would give it a try where I was the Michael Keaton (Mr. Mom reference – c’mon keep up with me here) of Western Pennsylvania.
The past few years have been an eye-opening experience that I never thought I would go through. I wouldn’t trade it for the world to see my little girl grow up right before my own eyes. She has turned into my own little princess and it is something that I will never forget, something that I would have never gotten the opportunity to do if I was working, and something that unfortunately my wife will never experience. It is a complete role-reversal from what “ordinary” families go through these days.
The dad is the one who has always been the one who was “suppose” to provide for the family while the mom stayed at home to care for the children. Well, guess what? Times have changed and I’ve found out that I’m not the only one who has been thrown into this world of changing diapers, making lunch, putting my daughter down for naps, watching Caillou, Barney and Dora – I think you get the point. But as I said before, I’m ok with it. I have grabbed the bull by the horns and ran with my place in life.
I do the chores around the house while also caring for my daughter (when she isn’t in daycare/preschool). I have found that I am able to do a lot more things as a handyman than I ever thought I would be able to. I never thought I would be able to finish a basement nor do construction work around the house. So I am still holding my man-card, even though my wife is the moneymaker.
I searched the internet and found a few other stay at home dads who have their own blogs and figured it was my time to share my thoughts and ideas on what it takes to do what I do on a daily basis. I’ve found great resources and I think my insight will provide other dads out there a lot of advice and ways to deal with being at home all day with a little one. This will be a great way to provide an interaction among all stay at home dads while also showing that it is a great life to live being at home all day while the wifey is out making all of the dough.
So to all of you stay at home dads out there, oh crap, wait a second, the little one is waking up and needs a snack…be back soon…
HD (homedaddy)
