Confessions of a Stay-At-Home Daddy

Yes, There Are a Few of Us

By Jeff Gorman, published Dec 27, 2006
Published Content: 169  Total Views: 150,924  Favorited By: 30 CPs
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I really enjoyed Heather Michelle's article "Confessions of a Stay-at-Home Mom." I thought I would give a guy's perspective. As a stay-at-home daddy, some of my items are different spins on her "confessions," while others are original.

1. The house is never as clean as I'd like it to be. Although it seems I would have all the time in the world to clean, that's not the case. While I usually have time to pick things up and put them away, I rarely have time to vacuum, dust, mop ... you know, actually clean stuff. I have one child (age 3) and I can't stick her in front of the TV for hours just to have a spotless house.

2. I usually don't take naps. Unless my wife has some free time from work, I am usually hopping from sunup to sundown. Even though I am stay-at-home, I'm not free from the pressure that is on every man to earn money. If I'm not cleaning, I had better be writing to earn a buck or two. If I'm really dragging, my wife will find a little time for me to snooze.

3. I do not have endless hours to play with my child. I wish I did. Since my daughter doesn't have siblings, I am her main playmate. Sometimes I can stop what I'm doing to play "Noah's Ark" or "Mary Poppins," but sometimes I have to tell her to wait.

4. I don't have any peers. Yes, I know there are other stay-at-home dads, but they are the exception. When I take my girl to the playground, it's almost all mommies. If I do see a guy there, I don't see him again. Mommies have a built-in support system that I don't have. What really drives me nuts are magazines like "Parents," which really should be called "Mommies," because it is completely geared toward women. As a stay-at-home daddy, I'm not concerned about my stretch marks!

 
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Who could slave away at an office with a face like that?

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Copyright: jgorman

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Takeaways
  • Stay-at-home daddies don't enjoy the peer support or respect that stay-at-home mommies have.
  • Cleaning and organizing are difficult for this stay-at-home daddy, even with one child.
  • The lax dress code and flexible schedule are among the advantages of being a stay-at-home daddy.
Did You Know?
As a stay-at-home daddy, I still feel the pressures that every man feels, which is to earn enough to support his wife and children.
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YES, I HAVE ALSO ONE DAUGHTER, THE SAME CONFESSIONS, I HAVE. I ALSO THE SAME THING, HOW MUCH TIME I SPENT WITH THE DAUGHTER AND FAMILY, I NEVER FORGET. EVEN THOUGH, I AM AROUND 40, BEING A FATHER GIRI, IT IS VERY HAPPY TO ENJOY THE FEELINGS OF THE FRUIT.

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Posted on 05/08/2008 at 11:05:11 AM

 
are all beechnuts leaves more than let it go. we watched reaction for a while, were having I got neighborhood We used my misguided

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Posted on 05/07/2008 at 9:05:33 PM

 
Great article!! I wish I could be a stay-at-home-mom. However, the financial pressures of today do not allow me this. However, my husband was able to stay at home with our daughter from the day she was born until she was about 2 years old. It was wonderful!! I think men do very well, and maybe better in some cases than women, being the caregiver. Our daughter is very smart, and I think it has a lot to do with her daddy staying home with her!!! I totally agree about dads not getting the respect they deserve when staying home with their children. Why is that any different than moms staying home with the children??? I am so glad that my husband had the opportunity to stay at home with her!!!! Here's to all of you dads!!!! :)

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Posted on 05/07/2008 at 9:05:16 AM

 
Interesting topic and a good read.

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Posted on 05/03/2008 at 10:05:27 AM

 
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Posted on 04/30/2008 at 1:04:00 AM

 
nice

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Posted on 04/22/2008 at 4:04:24 PM

 
I have a lot of respect for stay-at-home parents (mums and dads) because their job is not an easy one and it is not given the respect it deserves. My husband is a househusband right now (no children to care for though) and I respect all that he does. Sophie

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Posted on 04/21/2008 at 2:04:27 PM

 
As a stay-at-home mom, I respect what you do as a father! M. Leedy, I agree with you. People act shocked that you don't work. I am shocked that people work all week, and then dump their kids off on their relatives so that they can party all weekend!

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Posted on 04/15/2008 at 1:04:04 PM

 
nice pic. so start a website for dads.

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Posted on 04/10/2008 at 6:04:33 PM

 
Hi Jeff! It's so nice to hear a father's point of view even if it sounds a lot like my situation as a stay at home mom. I think thew one thing that probably "gets under our skin" is when you tell people you're a stay at home parent, people lokk at you like, "that's all you do? you don't work??" Work??? They don't know what work IS! Don't they know we don't get paid to do this?? LOL LOL However, it is a learning curve of life that can enjoy and grow from. :-) I applaud you for being a great Dad.

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Posted on 04/06/2008 at 4:04:35 PM

 
All the information at here are very help full. Thank you guys .... ***************************************** A team of successful entrepreneurs credited for www.SelectWealthSystem.com

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Posted on 04/05/2008 at 11:04:04 PM

 
Jeff, now that was a great article! I'm a stay at home dad and I home school my two children, like you, when I mentioned that I would be staying home all the guys I worked with said that I had a Sugar Momma. I never knew how much it would change me. Sometimes I fight it and when asked what do I do since my wife is a travel nurse, I always answer honestly, its later that I ponder what people think. I told my wife when we started this that I wasn't qualified, I was aware of some little people running around my house, but I'm not the one they should rely on, funny how all the jobs I've had before never prepared me for this one. But slowly I'm becoming Professor Jeff and Chef Jeff and its given me a confidence that I can instill in my kids. In a time when dads are absent, its good to know that I'm being the man of the house, and the time will come when my memories won't be shadowed by wishing I'd spend more time at home with my kids.

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Posted on 04/01/2008 at 11:04:27 PM

 
This was a beautiful artical. To hear from a mans heart is a true blessing to me. My husband has been a stay at home hubby for at least 10 years of our 18 year marriage and it has been absolutly rewarding for our now 3 teens. A man is not measured by if He goes out to a nine to five or stay home , He is measured by His love that he gives to His family around him even at the sneers and jeers of others. I am proud of you and pray that God rewards you greatly for this sacrifice of love for your family.

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Posted on 03/30/2008 at 2:03:45 PM

 
Love your article. I've been a stay at home Mom for 10 years now and I wouldn't trade it for the world.

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Posted on 03/30/2008 at 10:03:11 AM

 
Thanks for all of your comments, folks - it is nice to know there are people out there who understand me. I am very blessed to spend time with my daughter (and wife, who is also working/staying/teaching our girl at home). This may be our only kid, so I don't want to miss any part of her life.

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Posted on 03/29/2008 at 7:03:12 PM

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