Men are staying at home. My brother did it by choice, I’m currently doing it (not by choice).
Whether we’re deciding to be a caregiver, or having it decided it for us because we were laid off, Dads are the new Moms.
How motivated are Dads to stay active and involved as at-home parents? They had a SAHD Convention this past weekend.
When fathers are involved in their children’s education, children are more likely to get A’s and enjoy school.
Also violent crime, drug use and teen pregnancy are lower with involved fathers.
To put it succinctly, Dr. Kyle Pruett, Yale University Child Psychology Professor, in the upcoming documentary “The Evolution of Dad,” says, “If you want to reduce gang membership, teen pregnancy, dropping out of school, abuse and neglect of children and substance abuse, you can do it by engaging fathers early and often in the lives of their children.”
At-home dads, as the daily, primary caregivers of their children, are very involved fathers. These fathers, in the most extreme way, are proving the value of fatherhood. And, what’s most exciting, the trend of men choosing to be at home with their children has grown by 60% over the last 4 years, meaning more and more fathers are realizing how positive of an influence they can make upon their children.
[About At Home Dads]
Stay-at-Home Fatherhood On the Rise from TommyG Productions on Vimeo.
Brian Burliner featured in the news story above blogs his stay at home dad life at At Home Father
Jeremy Adam Smith is another SAHD and writes at Daddy Dialetics. He also wrote a book about staying home with the kids, The Daddy Shift.
Did you stay home? Do you wish you could have? How did you decide which of you or your wife would stay home?
Buzz is married to Jennifer and has 2 sons. Zacharie was born in May 2007 and Charles in January 2010. Buzz is a radio guy who enjoys building bridges between old and new media.
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I've been a SAHD first by choice, then by force (layoff) off and on for the last 3 years. I wouldn't trade the time I've had with my kids at home for anything, and I recommend to all Dads to think about whether they can do it too… even if it is just for a short time (like a few months of parental leave for example).
I wish the terms “Mr. Mom” and “Daddy Daycare” would just disappear. Regardless of whether a guy is a SAHD or works full-time, his time with his kids is not a substitution for time with Mom – it is unique, and it is valuable on its own terms.
Before Liam was born, I'd hoped I might able to do that – but owning a small business meant that wasn't in the cards. I still hope to be able to stay home for at least a year or so if we have another kid. Or only work 2-3 days a week, and from home if possible. Who knows. But while it sucks you were laid off, I'm quite envious of the time you're getting to spend with Zacharie – and it seems you're making the most of it too.
I think that the decision for me to stay home was made for more than just economic reasons. Anthony has a great job that he likes and makes enough for me to stay at home. If I were to go back to teaching I would go back as an on-call teacher and right back to the beginning. Trying to find child care when you have no idea when you might be working until the night before or the morning of was not appealing. I also found it hard to reconcile going to look after and teach other people’s children and take the time away from my own. The fact that we didn’t decide on a childcare facility while I was still pregnant with Aidan was also a huge factor. rnrnAnthony is a very hands on dad, and if it had been at all financially feasible I am sure he would have taken some of the parental leave with Quinlan. However, unless the small company he works for had a top-up plan for a certain number of weeks, there was no way we could pay our bills with what we would be bringing in.rnrnIt is definitely an interesting question. It is also interesting to see who can afford to have a parent stay at home? Or is childcare so expensive that you are working to pay for the daycare?
I think that the decision for me to stay home was made for more than just economic reasons. Anthony has a great job that he likes and makes enough for me to stay at home. If I were to go back to teaching I would go back as an on-call teacher and right back to the beginning. Trying to find child care when you have no idea when you might be working until the night before or the morning of was not appealing. I also found it hard to reconcile going to look after and teach other people’s children and take the time away from my own. The fact that we didn’t decide on a childcare facility while I was still pregnant with Aidan was also a huge factor. rnrnAnthony is a very hands on dad, and if it had been at all financially feasible I am sure he would have taken some of the parental leave with Quinlan. However, unless the small company he works for had a top-up plan for a certain number of weeks, there was no way we could pay our bills with what we would be bringing in.rnrnIt is definitely an interesting question. It is also interesting to see who can afford to have a parent stay at home? Or is childcare so expensive that you are working to pay for the daycare?
I think that the decision for me to stay home was made for more than just economic reasons. Anthony has a great job that he likes and makes enough for me to stay at home. If I were to go back to teaching I would go back as an on-call teacher and right back to the beginning. Trying to find child care when you have no idea when you might be working until the night before or the morning of was not appealing. I also found it hard to reconcile going to look after and teach other people's children and take the time away from my own. The fact that we didn't decide on a childcare facility while I was still pregnant with Aidan was also a huge factor.
Anthony is a very hands on dad, and if it had been at all financially feasible I am sure he would have taken some of the parental leave with Quinlan. However, unless the small company he works for had a top-up plan for a certain number of weeks, there was no way we could pay our bills with what we would be bringing in.
It is definitely an interesting question. It is also interesting to see who can afford to have a parent stay at home? Or is childcare so expensive that you are working to pay for the daycare?