Stay at home Dads

There are hundreds of small challenges that face stay-at-home dads each and every day, just as there are for women who stay at home. Generally these challenges are not determined by the gender of the parent or the choice of which will stay at home – they are simply the challenges that face any parent and home maker. Balancing the attention you pay to the housework, your children, your spouse and yourself can be a constant battle.

One of the most common problems met by any homemaker is time management – that is, not having enough time in the day to get everything done! The best way to keep control of all the little things that need doing is to keep a ‘To-Do’ list – perhaps on your fridge – and to keep a family diary or planner by the phone. This way you know exactly where everyone is and what they’re doing (or what they’re not doing) almost all of the time. Prioritize your list so that the most important jobs are tackled first, even if they’re the ones you least want to do.

Another challenge is acceptance – both within your own family and within your local area. Although stay-at-home fathers are more common nowadays, you may still face some awkward questions. Many child-orientated social groups (play group, mothers’ club, and so forth) are used to having female parents only, and it may be a challenge to convince them to accept you as a male. You may also face awkward questions from your children when they realise that most of the other kids at school have mums picking them up from school instead of dads. This being said, the challenges are balanced by the benefits, so it’s important to keep a level head and open mind.