There are plenty of reasons to become a stay-at-home dad. But they go deeper than spending all day with the kids, although that pretty much defines why we do this. There is much that defines the role and what makes it unique and rewarding. Here are some examples.
10. To Have a Great Job
Face it, many people hate what they do. This is a chance to really love how you spend every day. Sure there will be trying times, and you’ll want to get that break and keep your sanity as often as you can, but there will be no more rewarding career choice in the long run. You get to enrich your children’s lives while they enrich yours at the same time.9. Wear What You Want
Most of the time, you don’t really have to worry a ton about what you look like. Throw on that ratty T-shirt and workout shorts and head for a long walk or to the park. If sweats are comfortable, let that be the staple of the dress code. There will be moments where you will need to be presentable – like volunteering at the kids’ school – but the days of wearing uncomfortable work attire are gone for now.8. Every Day’s a Saturday (or a Monday)
You don’t have to worry about getting up and ready for work or commuting any day of the week. You can go to the park, go swimming, hit an afternoon ball game pretty much when you want (if they fit between naptime, of course). Then again, it is what you do 24/7 and if you let it, it can become just as bad as any daily grind. So try to make every day a little different and pretend every day is a Saturday with the kids.7. Put Your Signature on the House
OK, cleaning and other chores aren’t usually why someone decides to stay home all day. But you should have more time to make sure that messy place is a little less cluttered and you can probably get to other do-it-yourself projects that you couldn’t hit while on the 40-hour-a-week grind. If they’re old enough, have the kids help.Use this as a chance to learn how to cook or perfect your craft in the kitchen. Experiment with recipes and try different dishes. Use this as an outlet to be creative. And best of all, if you didn’t always like what you had for dinner before, now you get to make the final decision on most meals. Even if macaroni and cheese remains a constant side dish.
This may not seem to add up at first, but if you think about it, you will get to see your wife, spouse or significant other much more than you were when you were working. With work schedules and coming and going, who knows when you would bump into each other? Now you and the kids are a constant. You may have activities scheduled throughout the day, but for the most part you are flexible and are probably around when she is. That should mean that you see each other a lot more.
Childcare is a huge expense for working families, and no matter how routine it may have become to drop the kids off every moment, most parents hate saying goodbye. It’s tough to keep a youngster in the care of someone else for 50 hours or more a week. In the end, they are with your child more than you are. That seems a little wrong.
Sure, going to one income can be a scary proposition, but there are many money reasons the move makes since. Childcare costs are outrageous, especially if you have more than one kid and even more so if one of them is a baby. And think of all the money you spend while working: Clothes, gas, coffee breaks, lunch with co-workers. That can add up to a salary worth of spending right there. You might be surprised that being a SAHD is an economic wash. Heck, your family might even realize some savings.
2. To Prove People Wrong
We’ve all heard it many times before: Dads can’t/don’t know how to raise the kids; an at-home dad has no ambition; he’s not masculine. There are a lot of negative perceptions out there. Prove all of them wrong by enjoying your role and taking it seriously. Don’t rub it in the naysayers’ faces, but take pride in the job you are doing.1. To Be With Your Kids
Really, no other reason stands up. It’s why most of us are doing this. You get to watch your kids grow up. You get to experience all their milestones first-hand. You get to teach them and they get to teach you. You’ll never regret getting to spend these years with them. What else is there to say?
