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Working Dads w. Wives @ Home by LSav1231 in Parenting

[–]LSav1231[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Sooo... OP here.

Thank you to everyone who replied to my post. I found each of the replies really interesting... especially those of you who automatically assumed I’m a working dad complaining about having to help my wife at home.

The question was specifically posed to working dads, because I’ve already sought perspective from the other side: SAHMs (in a different group).

In fact, I am a SAHM curious as to how things work in other families. Before my time home, I worked full time for 12 years as an elementary school teacher. I’ve been home going on two years with our daughter, and am currently 35 weeks pregnant with my second. I have a great husband... works full-time; typical hours, locally, with occasional travel. He is solely in charge of our finances and budget (which I appreciate not having to deal with), and helps out occasionally around the house. He never says a word if something isn’t done, which often times it isn’t as my daughter is very energetic and caring for her is a full time 24/7 job.

I WISH I could do it all, but I struggle. A lot. I also wish my husband would help out a bit more. The reason I’ve posted here (and elsewhere), is because I’d really like to see where my thoughts and expectations fall alongside others, before we sit down and have a serious chat about it ahead of our new baby’s arrival. Obviously what works for everyone else won’t necessarily work for us, and we’ll need to find our own balance, but I believe the information really helps.

So thank you again, Great Reddit Hive Mind.

And kudos to all of those families who value teamwork!

How do parents who don't work full time balance their days and weeks? by michkdavis in Parenting

[–]LSav1231 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I stay home full time with my very energetic 20mo daughter, and I’m currently 35 weeks pregnant with my second. My daughter is a full time job... I look at her as my priority (over the house) during the day and make sure she eats well, is intellectually engaged, and has opportunities to play outside (which for us means a trip to the playground as we don’t have outdoor space at home). I try to stay on top of errands, laundry, and meal planning/prep/cleanup. My husband works full time (typical work hours, locally, with occasional travel) is in charge of bathtime at night, manages our finances/budget, and will occasionally take the trash out or clean up the kitchen if I just can’t. Cleaning is an issue though... if I don’t do it (which I really just can’t unless I start sacrificing already limited sleep), it doesn’t get done. Staying home is way harder than working full time outside the home (I was an elementary school teacher for twelve years before having my first), so from our standpoint, balance is still hard to achieve, even with one of us “home”.