What am I going to make for dinner?
Did my kid watch too much TV today?
Am I socializing them enough?
Oh No! Don’t put that in your mouth!
Parent Struggles
All parents struggle, right? After breakfast, each morning I take my son out to either run a quick errand, go to the park, or just walk around the neighborhood. By the time we get home he is usually signaling that he is ready for a snack or even lunch. But didn’t you just eat breakfast? What will I make today? Grilled cheese? Nope, you had that yesterday. Eggs? Nope, that was for breakfast. This is the most common struggle I have and often leads me into a google search with fantastical Pinterest recipes I can never recreate. Yup, I google what to feed my kid just like everyone else.
Stay-at-home Dad
The struggles of parenthood are real. We work hard to keep our kids healthy and smart. As a stay-at-home dad, I am aware of the day-to-day struggles and joys. Struggles and joys that I never thought I would encounter when we decided it’ll be best for our family if I stayed home.
>>RELATED TOPIC: Stay-At-Home Dad<<
Talk to ME!
But there seem to be some unique struggles to being a stay-at-home dad.
Last month, my son had minor surgery. I am marked as the primary contact on all his paperwork. I have asked for notes to be made on his charts to ensure I am the one called for scheduling, follow-ups, and instructions. Not once has my phone rang from the doctor’s office. My wife has had to step out of meetings, take calls on the road, or hand me her phone. It appears that calling the mother, no matter what is noted, is the standard practice for the doctors.
This annoyance is the most challenging that I have faced. I know that as my child gets older, it will continue to evolve. Other stay-at-home dads struggle to get schools, parents, and even sports coaches to recognize them as the main contact for the child.
Changing Tables?
There are plenty of other struggles that being a stay-at-home dad brings. Diaper blows out in the store? Let’s hope there is a changing table in the bathroom, or we will be changing this diaper either on the stroller, on a bench, or in the car. It is getting more common to find a changing table in a men’s restroom but there is still only about a 50% chance that it will be there, not broken, or not disgusting.
It Is All Worth It.
This list goes on. From things that are said in jest that hit hard (that is for another post), to feelings of inadequacy due to not following the status quo. But for all the struggles, tears, and sleepless nights, being a stay-at-home parent is the greatest opportunity I have ever received.
