Where it used to be that when a child was born it was automatically the woman that stayed home, today, times have changed, and more dads than ever are now choosing to be stay-at-home dads. Families are now looking at it from all different angles and basing that stay at home parent decision on who makes more money by being at work, who can possibly work from home later, who can transition back into the workforce easiest, insurance coverage, and more.
If you’ve made the decision that the life of a stay-at-home dad is right for you and your family, then you have probably gone into it with a fair amount of excitement and optimism. And while that is certainly great, there are some realities that you may find surprising.
It Can Get Lonely
Here’s the thing, sure, you’ve got your child or kids at home with you but being at home can get lonely. People can start to miss that adult-contact and connection that you get out in the workforce. Loneliness can settle in and get worse if you don’t address it, so you want to be sure you do something about it once you recognize what’s happening.
Some ways you can remedy that feeling of loneliness is to join some parent/kid groups during the day. This will give you a chance to interact with other adults. You can also get more social online and build connections that way. If you’re looking to grow your network, and be able to speak your mind more freely, then you may want to check out Emenator. Emanator is an innovative members’ online site that allows you to share any content you like, sell items, buy items, post videos, join groups and gatherings, and so much more. The very cornerstone of the site is to allow members to feel free to be themselves and just have fun.
Your Days Get Pretty Busy and Hectic
For many dads who choose to stay home, they figure it will be much easier and a slower pace than the daily grind at the office. Well, it’s time to think again. Life at home with a child or multiple kids is anything but relaxing, easy-going, and slow-paced. There’s a good chance you’ll be amazed at just how quickly the days go by. For those that are hoping to work from home while looking after the kids, there’s a good chance it will take some give and take as you figure out how to balance both.
You’ll Need to Wear Many Hats
Along the same lines of keeping busy, you can also expect to wear many hats in the home. You aren’t just “dad” you are also the chef, the clean-up crew, the doctor on call when your little one is under the weather, you are the potty-trainer, teacher, play buddy, and so much more.
The Pros Far Outweigh the Cons
Of course, just as you might imagine, the good news is that being a stay-at-home dad means the pros far outweigh the cons. It will be a time you can look back on and feel proud about, and the kids will always remember that time as well.
