Life is Good

(I THINK) I want to be a Stay at Home Dad

As you may have seen in my previous posts, or in my About Me [link to it], I have two young daughters, Careena and Hailee.  Careena completed Pre-K just last week and Hailee can’t wait to be joining her next year.  Although the picture looks like visitation at a minimum security correctional facility, it was actually Hailee seeing her big sister at school just before the end of her school day.

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I work in Washington D.C. and between the commute, work day, and eating dinner, I only have a couple of hours or so a day to spend with them during the week before getting them ready for bed.  I wish there was more…

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I see many of the guys I follow in social media are stay at home Dads (SAHD if you will), and frankly, I am jealous.  All I think about in any downtime I have throughout the day, and in my commute to and from work, is my girls – oh, and their Mother of course [phew…glove save].  I long for the days I will be able to stay at home with them – make them breakfast and lunch, play, read, watch Disney movies.  And before all of the SAHDs and SAHMs start to educate me on the reality of a hectic day’s ‘festivities’, I know I am being unrealistic and almost idealizing the job you all do.  But until I live it myself, that is how I envision my days will go.

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I (think) I realize how much work and attention there is that takes away from all of the simple “fun” I referred to above, but I also know that these days – this time, goes by all too fast.  And time is something none of us can ever get back.  That is yet another concern I have.

When the day does finally come that I can stay at home, they will likely be at school for the vast majority of the day I dream about.  Then what?  I could become some hobby obsessed shut in, with lots of cats and a parrot that I talk to all day.  Or worse yet, I could be right back out there trying to find a job.  Now wouldn’t THAT be ironic!

But there is (at least) one more possibility – I can be a Work at Home Dad (WAHD).  But what ‘work’ can I do from home?  I am a retired military officer with expertise in air battle management, command & control, and homeland defense & security – none of which directly lend themselves to working from home.  Maybe I could make an income through a hobby – like woodworking.  I love designing and building projects.  (This reminds me that I have to post about the Doc McStuffins Clinic that my brother-in-law and I built last year for Careena’s 3rd birthday. Oh, and the throne I just built Hailee for her Frozen-themed 2nd birthday).  As long as Heather becomes the primary breadwinner, that could work!

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For now, I guess I will live vicariously through the lucky SAHDs and WAHDs I follow through social media and continue to daydream about my future induction into the field.  So ladies and gentlemen, please keep the ‘stay home’ stories coming.  And if any of you any have words of wisdom, cautionary tales, or simple advice, I am reading and listening…This Dad’s View

 

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I Miss Them When They Sleep

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It is a strange feeling that comes over me when our girls are both quietly snuggled in their beds and fast asleep.  At that moment, I sincerely miss them. I miss the sound of their voices, their laughter, and even their quick footsteps as they run around us with more energy than I can muster at the peak of my day.

Now it is silent, deafeningly quiet even.

It is in sharp contrast to the feelings I had moments earlier.  Just minutes before, when we were trying desperately to get them to wind down for the night, I “couldn’t wait” to get them into bed.  They’re so loud and chaotic!  Is it bedtime yet!?   I am so ready!  So anxious in fact, we forego the daily routine of books and quiet interaction with them in their rooms with shapes, colors, search and find books and the like.  I just needed time myself to decompress.

And now I have it.

It’s not even 9pm and they are asleep.  And it is quiet.  Too quiet.  I reach for my iPad and check my email and Facebook pages.  A quick look through Instagram and Twitter.  I might even have a Snapchat or two to view.  Well that was a fun, let’s see…15 minutes, hmmm, now what?  Maybe we can watch one of our TV shows?  Nope.  Heather is diligently working on her MacBook.  Let me see what’s on anyways.

And with a ‘click’ I am brought right back to thoughts of my girls – Sprout is on and it’s an episode of the Pajanimals.  I feel like they are a million miles away.  A glance at the baby monitor – still both asleep, as best I can tell.  Where did the day go?  I need to spend more time with them.  Yes, that’s it, maybe a family day at the park, or a nature walk this weekend.  And at that very moment, the sound of our bedroom door slowly opening catches my attention.

It’s My Careena.  She waited for her sister to fall asleep so she could sneak out and, “come hang out with (us) for a little while,” as she says.  As she crawls up into the bed next to me and snuggles against me, she says, “I love you Daddy!”

There is nothing I needed more…except maybe her sister Hailee joining us!

 

Do you miss your kids at the end of the day too, or is this just…

This Dad’s View