Greetings from Idaho

[DeckRoid]

One week from tomorrow I shall be an @-Home dad. Catie Grace is now 5 weeks old and Mommy will be going back to work. Can't say this decision was easy, but I think its the right one.

I don't know about DayCare around the rest of the country (or world) but we figured that 1/2 to 2/3rds of my paycheck would be going to someone else to watch our daughter. We figured it's just not worth it. For us, anyway.

The other thing that has made this hard is the almost fanatical opposition to a Dad staying home. Some of our family and friends thinks I am just "riding the gravy train" or "taking the easy way out". Others have told me that "Taking care of a baby is hard work. You just dont get to lay about all day long." No kidding? I was thinking of watching some soaps and joining a Bridge Club.

When my sister decided to give up her career to stay home with her children, everyone said how important it was to be there for the kids and how nurturing it was for everyone. A couple of months back when we let everyone know I was doing the same? Could have heard a pin drop.

My favorite question as I get closer and closer to the day Catie and I start hanging out together is, "You still going to stay home?". The way the question is asked, it feels like everyone who is opposed to this is waiting on the edge of their seat for me to freak out and say "I quit, I'm going back to work, this is too tough!".

Well, they may have a long wait ahead of them.

Hello from Caldwell, Idaho. Farming country.

[2nd time around]

Congratulations and welcome to the hardest job you will ever love. I have heard the same kind of comments that you speak of. It is hard sometimes to not buy into it and let that doubt get in your head. This is my second stint at being a daddy and the first time around I worked and supported the family for most of my(1st) sons life. That has been the hardest part for me, not feeling like I contribute enough to the family income. But, I am blessed to have a wife(partner and friend) who sees the value of the decision we've made and to remind me of it when I get down on myself.
The other thing that will stick in your craw is the view that "mommies" have of us. This has been covered here alot so I wont prattle on, just know it exists and don't let the bizitches get to you. Just dazzle them with your childs brilliance. My little guy is 16 months and has a vocabulary of over 100 words. It really pi**es them off when they see that we can be as good if not better at this then they are.
I for one, and think all of us here, applaud your decision. We are the pioneers who are breaking down the stereotype of who the stay at home parent should be. The money might be short sometimes but the love will reward us all in the long run, and when our kids are running the world everyone will know we done good!

Larry

[tt3]

Welcome aboard man, welcome aboard. It takes some reflection to figure out who's opinion should really matter to you, and I've come to the conclusion that I care what my wife thinks, and I care what my girls think. Everyone else can give their opinion until they are blue in the face and only recieve a "mhmm" at best from me. Makes life easier. Thankfully I've been lucky to get full support from everyone in our extended families.
I'll definately second that "mommy" warning though. :lol:

[Don-Dad]

WElcome Deckroid.

I alway chuckle when I think about a message posted a few years ago on my old message board, a nice dad said "Screw them!" hahahaha!

I run a side business so I can shake off the parents. They used to constantly ask me when I was going back to work. A few a-holes I know still call me Mr.Mom but over time you just learn to tune them out and be happy knowing that your raising your own kids, not someone else :)

[Patrickz]

"Screw them!" hahahaha!

Amean to that dad. yea all us sahds eat bonbons and watch soaps :lol:

[dad2jeff]

hello there 2Cer. and welcome.