Stay at home dads

It is perfectly ok and it's becoming more "popular". Many dads try to have a home based job to be able to spend more time with their children. I know a few families where the parents have taken turns staying at home but it's not possible for everyone to do that because they might risk losing their jobs if they take too much time off. In the recent years Icelandic fathers (I know it's also been done in other Nordic countries) have been getting paid "paternity" leaves when their children are born. Both parents get two weeks off together when the baby is born, then the mother gets 3 months and the father another 3. The rest of the maternity/paternity leave they can split between them any way they want. Most fathers take advantage of this and after this started, more fathers have understood what they were missing before and some of them liked it so much they decided to stay at home full time. Of course in many cases parents let the one who makes more money work and the other one stays home. I think all families should think about this if it is a possibility for them. The children need to know both parents and if there is a way they can take turns working and staying at home, I think that would work out very well for everyone. (Don't forget that if you go out to work and he stays at home that he understads that he should also be doing most of the chores around the house and not let them wait for you).

In our culture, it's much better if the moms would stay at home rather than they're the one working. In our culture, the guys don't like that they would be at home because it we would hurt their ego. S for mer, it's more comfortable saying, that moms should be at home rather than dad's at home taking care of the children. or it would be ok if both are you are working and just hire a nanny to watch over your kids. Good luck...=)

I have say it's completely fine. I belong to a Meetup group and we welcome stay at home dads, and give them great respect.

If it works for you as a family, there's nothing wrong in it. I personally feel that each family knows what's right for them and what works best. If the husband is ready to bear the responsibility of being at home and taking care of the kids, he must be quite an open -minded person who considers his wife and equal partner in the relationship. If he has no ego problems, I say go for it.

Well. This opens a can of worms. It worked for us with my stepson. My dh stayed home and I worked about that much. Then, when I had my son in 2005, it really no longer worked for me. I wanted to be the primary caretaker for him. I missed him so much. I had a hard time caring about my job. Men can certainly do the job, but they will most likely do it differently than you would. It just depends on how important your career is vs. your family or how much control you want to have. My dh always says I am pretty controlling. LOL. If you are really into your career or are not that into being with kids all the time (which is totally a fine choice), it might be different for you. Some women go slightly batty at home and prefer the social and mental stimulation of other adults. A lot of men like to stay home and play! (I would caution, though, that I have seen more than one SAHD somewhat over play with their kids to the point where the kid really doesn't know how to play independently. But that is a generalization which may not be true.) I'm actually not that into kids, but I missed mine. Especially since he will probably be my only. It was hard to not start to be resentful of the things Daddy got to do and be. And especially when they are very little. It was really hard for me when he would prefer Daddy over Mommy because it was what he was used to. Actually, b/c my son was still nursing, that didn't happen that often, but it was hard when it did!Your husband also has to be really self confident and know who he is and that he wants to do this. Other people may act weird towards him about it and that could make him feel bad about this choice or start to doubt it. You will both be tired and frustrated at times. That comes with the territory. The thing is, as the mom, you really are on 24/7 one way or another. I think even with the most enlightened men, that's just the way it is. You need to know that is ok for you. Also, make sure you talk ahead of time about what your division of labor is with housework, etc.. Again, men can be more prone to let things go around the house and just focus on the kid. Not that I have been great lately, but I"ve been trying to work from home. Not easy either!Ok, hope some of that helps. It is new ground working moms and SAHDs are breaking. I don't think it's easy. I went into it fully believing it was great. Honestly, now I'm not so sure. But if you can make it work, go for it! None of the things I have said about men are against men in any way. Just really wanted to give you the truth from my limited experience of what I have seen from a few SAHD situations (my own dh included.) Good luck. Let us know what you decide!

I know a stay at home father. And if you are used to working, you both must understand that there will be times you will have doubt about yourself and staying home. Know that this is definitely what you want to do. The stay at home father I know does a wonderful job. But he is very much a social person and has found it hard not being able to socialize with co-workers. His wife is not a social person, so it is not something she understands completely but does try. I am rambling. Sorry. Stay at home dads are great. If a woman can, so can a man and vice versa. Just be sure that you know what you are getting into and have a support plan for your social needs.

Well look at the movie Daddy Day care men can do just as good job as women they may make alot of mistakes at first who hasn't but we learned and so will they..so i say go for it..especailly if he is also taking over all the chores and cooking..lol..well good luck and god bless..

If it's a decision you have made jointly and are both happy with then do it. I know a couple of stay at home dads who are doing a brilliant job.

Nothing wrong as long as u understand each other and there is no ego problem.

I guess it's worth a shot

I think it's great, I give a big thumbs up to any father that decides to stay home and care for the kids. It is a touch harder for men when it comes to dealing with kids and knowing what they mean, but saying that its just practice and knowing what your child needs. Also its good that the mother acknowledges the great job her partner is doing when it comes to the babies it gives them a knowing that they are doing it right and let them know babies don't come with a manual so things can go wrong sometimes.

I see that this is a discussion that was posted 2 years ago. I went to your profile and saw that you logged in 3 weeks ago. I am curious if you did stay at home and if you did are you still a stay at home Dad. As of this year my son has been a stay at home Dad for eight years and loves it. He also home schools his kid. So if you did stay at home did you like staying at home and your wife going to work. Some guys would have a problem with that. My son doesn't.

If it works for you and you both are okay with it, I see no problem whatsoever with your plan.