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The Trials and Tribulations of a Stay-at-home Dad
Parenting is Tougher Than the Army By Gary Foskuhl
I survived Plebe year at West Point. I earned my wings in Army flight school. I endured nine months in Desert Storm. Yet none of those experiences prepared me for the toughest job of all: being a stay-at-home father.
For the past eight years, I have enjoyed the chaotic world of at-home parenthood. During this time, I have raised two of our children from birth. Each day, I experience firsthand the frustration and loneliness of being an at-home parent.
Life as a stay-at-home father is a constant challenge. I receive very little praise for my efforts. Did anyone walk up to me today and tell me that I did a great job of getting my children dressed this morning? No. Did I get recognized for my part in the recent family record of 157 consecutive days between visits to the children's emergency room? No. Did anybody shake my hand to acknowledge the hell that I went through to convince my 5-year-old to wear something besides his Power Ranger T-shirt and shorts during the 7-degree Fahrenheit day? No way. But go to the grocery store just once, just once when the baby is missing a sock, and it is a national disaster.
"Hey buddy, where's the kid's sock? Didn't your wife teach you about keeping his little tootsies warm?"
And the baby thinks, "Aw, what kind of dad is he, leaving my toes uncovered?"
In one short comment these folks make me forget all of the parental accomplishments for the week. I forget that I cleaned three cat puke stains without throwing up myself. I forget that I helped a sixth grader with his NASA-quality homework. I forget that I fed the baby, sang the theme to Bob the Builder and vacuumed all at the same time.
With whom do I share these frustrations? Co-workers? What co-workers? I am the only employee in my building. I am the only adult who works on my shift. As a result, I get starved for adult conversation. Granted, I do get out once in a while, but the stay-at-home dads group only meets once a week, and the grocery store checkout women think that I am hitting on them. No, the sad truth is that an at-home parent is alone.
