Interview with a Stay at Home Dad

I have read many stories about stay at home dads, but I never really felt that the whole story was there. So I decided to interview a stay at home dad and get the real scoop. I interviewed Ray Lewis. Ray is a father of two children, ages six and three. He became a stay at home father after being laid off from his job a little over four months ago.

Question: What do you feel is the major difference between stay at home moms and stay at home dads, if any?

Ray: I think that women find it easier to juggle the responsibilities of being a stay at home parent. I always try to do everything when the kids are sleeping. I am not good at multitasking and don't understand how women do it.

Question: Are you planning on continuing to be a stay at home dad or are you planning on going back to work?

Ray: I am planning on going back to work but because of my experience of being a stay at home dad I understand what my wife had to go through so I am going to step up and help out more now.

Question: If the chance arose would you happily be a stay at home dad again?

Ray: If the timing was right, yes.

Question: Could you elaborate on that answer for me?

Ray: Financially, if we were set I would consider staying at home again. Then I could afford some free time because I would have a nanny [laughs].

Question: How has being a stay at home dad affected how you feel about stay at home parents?

Ray: I respect them more. I have the respect for them that yeah, I went to work everyday, but their job at home was harder than mine. I will never look at a woman again and think they have it made. Being a parent is hard enough work, but when you are stuck in the house all day too, you never get relief. Only a real hero could do this long term and not go insane.

Question: What is the best part of being at stay at home dad?

Ray: I spend time with my children, and actually see them grow up a little bit. When I was working I didn't have that opportunity. I really didn't know my children as well as I should have. I didn't know where they were at in life, what they had learned, and just general things. It's nice to have that connection now. The funny thing is, I never knew what I was missing until I had that connection.