Would you be a stay at home Dad?

Just go back to work once the kids start school.

 

I was a stay at home dad for four months and wouldn't trade it for anything. If one parent can stay home for a while, I think it was well worth it.

 

"for a while"

 

Awesome story there !!!

 

Damn, now that would be stress! sent for her continued good health.

 

I did it for almost a year my wife got a new job working an off shift with her weekend in the middle of the week. I worked for myself @ the time so I was able to still work a day or 2 a week but I wouldn't trade that time I had with my son for anything. Things aren't like they were 50 years ago what ever is best for everyone should be the deciding factor.

 

X2!

 

This is for Jeremy, not sure if you seen my responce.

 

No problem, I like to read every ones experiences with this. Helps me make my choice. Ya thats the thing about some day cares.

 

I smell a daddy day care opening up soon!

 

LOL, maybe my new job! I could advertise on TW! Atleast you know I made a good choice in my truck!

 

Tough situation. My wife and I faced this situation a few years ago. My wife went through school after our first child. Then we began to build for our future (built house, had two more children). Then my rather stable job after 10 years started getting slow and eventually led to being laid off. So, I was offered by the wife to be a stay at home dad so she could pick up a day or two to supplement my loss of pay or we could buck down, scratch by while I went to school. I loved the thought of being home with the kids, make breakfast, play, take the boat out fishing, hanging out with buddies, hunting, etc., but i feared not being a not being a monetary provider, wife being burnt out at work, most of friends work typical 8-4, 40hr jobs so they aren't really around, parenting three children(at time ages 2,5, and 7) is very difficult and underappreciated work, and in few years when all the children are in school I would need to do something. So I chose school, longest two years of our lives, but today everything is working out so wonderfully, I still get to be home 4 days a week, most of them with my wife.
Difficult question, no right answer except what is right for your family.

 

My wife and I are considering the same thing. She and I make about the same money but I work 5-6 days per week and she only works 2-3 days (she works at a hospital @13hrs per day), plus I have my real estate license and I could do that around her schedule and still make money. Plus I spend more money working by the simple fact that my job is farther away and more days a week, giving up my job would "save" more money then hers.

I say go for it! I'm sure you would never regret spending more time with your kids as opposed to more time at work.

 

Whatever you decide, there will be no wrong and no shame in it, use either situation to the full advantage of your family.

The opinions I stated are not to knock daycare, we do daycare. I don't particularly like it, even though it's the best rated (also most expensive) daycare in town. I just don't feel there's any replacement for the value of a stay at home parent (at least during the core learning years), and it's part of what has contributed to our change in society (not really for the better), but hey, it is what it is... That's my opinion and nothing more.

 

Glad you got it worked out for your family. Thw good thing about my Wife's job is that she won't be working any more than she does now to make ends meet, so that is a bonus for us.

Well this thread is for you too! And thats another thing too. I work not real far, but far enough and that would be a huge expence gone. Driving to my work.

Thanks, so far I like your opinion!

 

There is an article on yahoo right now on this very subject.

 

I start trends! Thanks, I'll have to check it out.

 

Just so long as your wife doesn't constantly lambast you for the role reversal I say go for it. I love staying home with the kid when I can, but I don't appreciate the snide remarks about her going to work and having to pay for the house stuff even though she burns sammiches.

 

First, my apologies for the offense.

Second, my sincere respect for the service of both your wife and yourself. I am very familiar with the pressures Mil to Mil couples face, having retired from Active Duty Air Force in '09. Making it work with the demands of deployments, etc. is a significant accomplishment.

You are fortunate to have the CDC system and that it fits both your schedules. Under that controlled system, the care is excellent and the children well developed and taken care off. I've worked with many Air Force members that struggled with finding good childcare due to CDC hours not accommodating shift work schedules.

Sorry if I chose too strong words. Again, my apologies.