Stay at home Dad...?

[Beezy]

Evening All

 

Recently got hitched late last year, thoughts turn to ankle biters in the not too distant future!

 

I have been in the industry for plenty years, and now work as a Surveyor/Consultant for a company following level 3 qualification. My wife earns decent money and commutes into London, she enjoys her job.

 

So, tentatively discussed post bambino, her returning to work after maternity leave and me staying at home, giving up my current job and potentially developing my own part time surveying/looking after kids. I'm quite happy with the whole housework food cooking thing, kinda do it already if missus is late or delayed getting home from the big smoke! I'm in no doubt this wont be easy to juggle it all, but certainly could be an option.

 

Does anyone else do this, if so how does it work, recommendation, don't do it!! Etc etc

 

Help or advice very much appreciated.

 

Cheers chaps

Beezy

[RobArb]

I did it for a few months with my first 7 years ago.... I soon went stir crazy, that's just me though

 

Sent from my Galaxy S2

[Stephen Blair]

i did it when my first was 14 months for a year or so, washing and tidying up was easy enough, cooking well thats a diferent ball game, lets say we survived lol. It was only ever feeding me and the we man, i cooked for the Mrs once and she refused to eat my cooking again, but we werent at home most of the time, she worked away so we went aswell ans spent the day driving about and having adventures, it was brilliant!!

her job didnt support us, it was something she wanted to do, i would save my work up and blitz it with helpers once a week.

go for it, when they are babies its easy, when they toddle its a nightmare lol

Edited January 21, 2013 by Andy Collins

[muttley9050]

i did it, suited me ok, kids are at school now and ive just had a knee op, so im a stay at home dad with the kidsout all day.best of both worlds:thumbup:

[Big J]

I'm planning to build a creche and jungle gym at the saw yard. Dress them in hi-vis onesies and issue ear defenders and Bob's your mother's brother!

[Rich Rule]

Go for it John, if that is what you want.

 

I can tell you from experience that cutting trees or looking at them in your case is a lot easier than looking after toddlers.

 

I am always exhausted when I have the kids for a day or two. It is hard graft but in a different way. More mentally tiring for me anyway.

 

Good luck with it mate.

[slack ma girdle]

I did it for two years. They are only small once, and it will build a bond that will never be lost. The wife and i are still part time, which means that we are always skint, but it means we get to see out children grow up.

I would not hesitate in doing it again.

[Neil Frost]

I'm at home at mo thanks to the snow, and whilst I love looking after my boy, I feel terrible guilt at not working. Regularly have 2-3 days off a week this time of year, and it's great watching my son grow up. But then it's bill paying time and I don't feel so great!

[Kev Stephenson]

I did it full time to start with then at 6 months old started with a nursery 2 then 3 then 4 days a week to socialise the kids and let me get out of the house and earn a bit of money. It seems to work well but I don't make a lot of money doing this as kit sits idle at least one day a week, insurance, etc still has to be paid as if I was full time but the kids alway know they will be picked up from school/nursery nice and early and there are no issues should one be ill or the schools shut for snow etc. I also still have 1 full day off with the youngest for swimming lessons, etc which will change in September when she starts school but even then 2 days a week I will pick them up from /drop them straight to school and not use the before/after school clubs.

 

Everyone does child care differently, there is no right way but the number one is ensuring the child gets the best. I personally don't like the idea of 2 parents both working silly long hours for loads of money and trying to buy the kids love. They are only young once and I feel the more you put into them the more you will get out.

[Dean O]

Lots to weigh up.

Have considered it, especially as weve just had our second and childcare costs are a night mare - or will be when the wife goes back to work.

Wife is in a well paid job.

 

only trouble is for me - I dont think I could face trying to build a business again once they are in school and I think I would find it hard working for someone else.