Is your partner OK with the arrangement? Reversing traditional roles may sound nice at the outset for both mom and dad, but there are some social consequences. You and your partner need to talk through these challenges and make sure you are both knowingly committed.
Can you handle the social pressures? Despite the fact that there are more stay-at-home fathers than ever, there are still some stigmas. Some uninformed people believe that men who are stay home dads just couldn’t cut it in the workplace. Some stay home moms feel uncomfortable with men in their “circle.” And some will wonder if you are just plain weird. In any case, you have to be prepared for the social difficulties.
Are you ready to work around the clock? The pressures of a job in the workplace can often be put on the back burner when you leave the workplace and go home. For stay home dads (and moms for that matter), there is no such respite unless you consciously make one. Full-time stay-at-home parenting is a demanding job—physically and emotionally exhausting. So make sure you make allowances by working through these issues with your spouse, with other stay home parents, with family and extended family. Be prepared for the demands.
Will you enjoy parenting full-time? Granted, some stay home dads relish the opportunity to build relationships at home. Many stay home moms I know, including my own partner, truly love the role. But not everyone has the attitude and the personality to make it work and to find true fulfillment.
If you are ready for the challenges, stay-at-home parenting can be a remarkable experience for all concerned. Keep the lines of communication open, make adjustments along the way, and you will look forward to each new day as a full-time caregiver for your children.
