Shout Out to All the SAHDs
Stay-at-home-dad, often referred to as SAHD, is accurately described (in my opinion) by Urban Dictionary as the ultimate in 21st century parenting. You may have become a SAHD because your career made it possible. Maybe you were unemployed, and in the process of seeking employment, you found your calling at home. Perhaps it just made sense financially, and you preferred to raise your little one(s) on your own. Or like us, all of the above.
Giving up your career and salary to stay home with the kid(s) is a very tough decision to make for the family. A lot goes into making this decision — running the numbers over and over, endless pros and cons lists, talking to friends and family who have done or are doing it, overcoming the stereotype and judgement, sleeping on it, thinking and rethinking.
Since COVID-19 took over our world and confined us to our homes, many of us now know what it is like to be a full time stay-at-home or work-from-home parent. It’s no easy task! We recognize the exhaustion moms experience. We constantly remind ourselves to appreciate moms for everything that they do, and we forget that dads who take on those same roles deserve the same.
During that first week as a SAHD, you probably ran around like a headless chicken trying to figure things out. Every so often pausing to wonder if you’ve made a mistake, and if it’s too late to change your mind. In between those moments, you find reasons why it is all worth it. We know it’s not an easy task for moms, I wouldn’t expect it to be for dads either.
I see you, SAHDS. When Mommy is trying to hold a virtual meeting, and you’re tasked with keeping those crazy kids away (or quiet and entertained for an hour). When it’s nap time, and you find your own ways to put the baby to sleep without nursing! When you’re trying to potty train, clean up accidents, and make dinner all at the same time. When it’s 4pm, you have two more hours to go, but you’re clearly done for the day — yet you keep pushing through.
I see you. I see you vicariously through my husband. I see you through his frustrations during, and exhaustion at the end of every work day. I also see all the love you pour into making it work, and how rewarding it feels to conquer each day.
With Father’s Day coming up in a little over a month, here is a special shout out to all our husbands, dads, brothers, sons, and friends who decided to take on an extremely challenging task as the main caretaker and house-maker — and owning it.
You are our heroes.