I've been a stay-at-home dad since April, after the missus wanted to return to full-time work. She had been struggling at home, with feelings of isolation. She's also the brains of the family, and capable of earning more than me, so it seemed like a good idea. It was.
We had tried our (then 10-month old) son, Franklin in a nursery, but he was constantly ill and grizzly, it just wasn't worth it. We've had a few sleep issues with our little fella since birth, and adding permanent sniffles into the mix was plain hell. So, we made the big decision. My wife works largely from home, which made the choice easier. I had not been out of work for an extended period for years, and it hit me a little hard to begin with. The first few weeks were a little dull and lonely. I missed the interactions I had at work, (Family Support Worker at a local children's centre, which meant lots fun and interesting/gory bits). However, soon after, with sleep training to do and play-groups to attend and watching him slide towards his first birthday and having fun and being there to see him change from day to day, I began to love my new role. I still do. I don't see many dads with their children during the day, which is sad in a way, and I feel a little privileged to have the opportunity.
I don?t imagine it will be long-term, as we?re currently saving to buy our first home, but each day with my son is a joy and hard work in itself. The pay is just a bit less monetary, and a good deal more valuable. I love that I can support my family in this way, and enjoy a bond that I would have if I were a full-time worker, but not to this extent.