Monday 9 July 2012

A (Part-Time) Stay At Home Dad?

My wife is unfortunately having to go back to work full time in September. They won't let her go back part time after her maternity leave, which is really disappointing.
So until circumstances change, in September I'll be having every Monday off to spend with my little girl.  We really hate the thought of her going to the child minder full time (and I know four days still isn't great) but I also worry that no one will keep a part time self employed carpenter on site, so this is us trying to find a balance in the short term (also my wife has long holidays which will help a lot).
Why do meal times always end up like this?
We had our first taste of Daddy-daughter day today (as Mum had to go into school to meet her new class). We loved it! Got loads of jobs done, did some shopping and even went to look at a wood auction, she enjoyed feeding the chickens the best (she gets hypnotised by them with a big grin on her face). I'm already planning my Mondays with her now; out in the veg garden, making preserves in the kitchen and we'll have to get some more animals for her to marvel at!

16 comments:

  1. Enjoy it! - Compostman has been an equal partner to child rearing our daughter from a young age and it has been such a great thing for all of us. If you can manage it financially that is :-( - it is disgraceful that the odds are so stacked against Fathers ' getting more involved in childcare...best not get me started on that, or we will be here all night!\

    Good luck and have fun :-) And best wishes to Mrs A on returning to her work. A hard job, teaching - I know!

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    1. I plan to enjoy it! At the moment it's not so much the financal which is the problem (we live within our means) but more keeping work going and not getting replaced. I think it should eb fine and the firm I'm currently working for seem fine with the idea when I discussed it.
      As for my wife returning to work if you hear of any part time positions going let me know as I don't think you're too far away!

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    2. I AM quite close ;-) so will keep my ears open for anything :-)

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  2. I think this is a great thing. Girls get so much from their fathers in a very different way. A lot of people I speak to provide anecdotal evidence that suggests they learnt a lot of their practical skills for the larger world from their fathers. Fathers make their daughters feel "useful". They also become the role model and the yard stick by which we will some up and measure future husbands. So important and so valuable to have father time.

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    1. What a lovely comment. I've always planned to make sure she's practical! I grew up on a farm and work as a carpenter so I hope I'll be able to pass on some of my skills. I know I've learn a lot from my father over the years (and still do to this day). He sometimes moans that he regrets that we were always working when I was growing up, but all I can remember is spending happy time with my dad doing stuff I loved on the farm. Learning skills that still stand me in good stead. I didn't used to sound this positive when he'd wake me at 5 to grade lambs for market though!

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  3. Awesome, I think Mondays will become a very special time for you :)

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    1. Thanks, I hope they will, I went to work today on a high as I had such a good day yesterday.

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  4. Sounds like a good plan for you all. It will be lovely to spend time with your beautiful little daughter every Monday. There's so much a girl can learn from her Dad whatever her age. Enjoy!!

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    1. It's going to be good to set aside that time to spend with her. Hopefullly one of the first things I want to teach her is how to find her mouth when she eats!

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  5. It is one of my favorite things in the world to see a Daddy with a baby. I'm new to your blog..found it mentioned on Down to Earth..I really like what you're doing and am enjoying reading about it. Good job, Daddy.

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    1. I love being a daddy "about town" with a baby (and I love it when everyone coos over her when we go out!). I'm finding fatherhood much more rewarding than I ever thought possible and hopefully this will add to it. Thanks for your comment

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  6. Hi..as suecat says..a little girl learns so much from her daddy...she is totally adorable..a girl and her daddy have a special bond..i know my husband is totally soft with our girls..we have 5 girls lol..so he is constantly henpecked haha..
    sara

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    1. 5 girls sounds like a handfull! My wife already thinks my little girl is going to have me wrapped around her little finger!

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  7. Your daughter is soooo pretty and she is lucky to have a dad like you! Enjoy your Monday's!! :)

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    1. Thank You! She's a little charmer when she wants to be!

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  8. Cute blog, I'm now following xx

    www.vintagerequiem.com

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