Well it's been a year since I've taken over the duties as being the stay at home parent.
I really wasn't sure how I'd cope with it long term, and talking to my family neither were they! They were worried I'd struggle with the lack of male company and not have enough to keep my mind busy or be productive.
In fact it's been the opposite, I've made lots of "mummy friends" at playgroup, many share the same type of mindset and enjoy talking and doing the same things as me, gardening, frugality, baking, etc. It's been great meeting up with them and having them to talk to for adult conversation, it's been a year since someone tried to talk about football to me!
I've also kept myself really busy, I've been working on every Saturday and every school holiday with lots of little carpentry jobs for people and I've had plenty to do on the homestead here, growing a productive garden, baking, housework, decorating, DIY, fencing, planting trees, looking after the chickens, sourcing firewood, saving money... well you get the point!
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| Don't be fooled - they're trouble. |
Then there's been the best bit - my girls. I've got to spend more time with them than I ever thought I would and it's been amazing. I love every minute of it and even though it's been hard at times, through the tantrums, tummy bugs and pooey bums, I wouldn't change any of it. I feel like I know my girls so well and we have such a great time together, I know in years to come I'm going to look back on this time with fond memories.
I feel like I'm a very lucky man to have this opportunity and to have a wife would is happy for me to stay at home while she goes to work, without all her hard work none of this would be possible. I married a truly amazing woman who puts up with a lot!
I'd also like to thank all my blog readers and commenter's for keeping me on my toes this last year, for giving me new ideas and things to try and for constantly encouraging me.
I think everything combined has made this last year the best year of my life so far!
Wow, has it been a whole year. What now. Do you continue as a stay at home dad or change roles with your wife?
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for sharing.
No we keep going as we are (my wife earns much more than me!). Thanks for the comment.
DeleteThose two sandpit dwellers are adorable!
ReplyDeleteWell done Kev - it seems as though this arrangement is a perfect example of give and take between a husband and wife. Well done to you both.
It works so well. Sometimes my wife and I don't get to spend as much time together as we like but we have a really strong relationship and both feel really good about how things are going. It's also made me realise how much my wife used to around the home without my help and how much fairer I think the relationship is now.
DeleteChild care and looking after your home is a special time in your life, I was a stay at home mum for 14 years, I'm glad you are loving it and providing wonderful harvest at the same time. Give yourself a pat on the back.
ReplyDeleteThanks Marlene, it really has been great and you've obliviously got fond memories from when you did it as well.
DeleteIts been a life changing year well done, now with year two startting you will be an old pro :-)
ReplyDeleteNot so sure about that, they keep changing the rules and learning new things to make it harder for me!
DeleteHow fast a year goes in.
ReplyDeleteIt's mental!
DeleteI think it's great that you can be home with your kids! Wnen my husband came home from one of his deployments, the teachers went on strike. I was happy because for almost three weeks, they got to spend time with their dad while I was at work
ReplyDeleteIt's great. Everyone kept saying to me to make the most of them when they're little so that's what I'm doing! It must be hard if your husband is away on deployment. I don;t think I could be away from them for that long.
DeleteA stay-at-home-dad sounds so much harder than a stay-at-home-mums responsibility...you've done a lot Kev! You've got the extra special grace...I think most men would go mental! Love the photos of your girls...Have they fooled me? I don't think so:)
ReplyDeleteBTW Kev...please email me your postal address?
Could you send me another email to reply to - I can't seem to find one of yours sorry!
DeleteYeah the girls always look lovely in photos but they can play up like the best of them! They are good most of the time though!
done:)
Deletecongratulations kev! you sound incredibly happy and we all know how busy you have kept yourself! those beautiful girls will have such great memories of growing up with their Da at home. give your wife a big hug and kiss when she gets home and thank her. it sounds like you and she have a good setup. keep doing all of your projects and coming up with great posts...again - congratulations!
ReplyDeleteyour friend,
kymber
I am really happy and feel like I'm in such a good place at the moment. Thanks for all your comments on the blog as well, it's amazing how much everyone spurs me on to do more and to try new things.
DeleteWhata couple of darlins ya have there Kev-man.Being a stay at home dad is not easy no doubt about that. I have seen it fail more than a few times over the years and it takes a special mind set to make it work. Not only yours from my observations. It takes a special set of qualities from the Mrs. as well She must be a real keeper too :)
ReplyDeleteShe's certainly a keeper! She puts up with one hell of a lot from me and I know I'm not easy to live with or the way that I want to live! That chance meeting some 13 years ago really paid off!
DeleteExcellent Kev, long may it continue. The girls are lovely and they look so happy too.
ReplyDeletei think we'd just eaten some ice lollies so that's probably why the look so happy!
DeleteYour girls are lucky to have such special parents who work as a close team to give them the best upbringing they can manage to do. Love and hugs to you both, and to your two imps as well! Vx
ReplyDeleteThanks Vera! I'll give them a hug from you!
DeleteWell done Kev, I can testify that both your girls are such lovely little people, fab job to you both for bringing them up right!
ReplyDeleteCheers Kirsty!
DeleteAs long as it works for you and your wife. That's the important thing.
ReplyDeleteIt seems to at the moment, like I said I wasn't sure how I'd take to it but I really enjoy it.
DeleteSee, I told you a year ago that you would be fine!
ReplyDeleteI know! It's crazy how fast that's gone by!
Deletethis is such a wonderful thing for all of you!
ReplyDeleteMy how your girls have grown! They are just cuteness! Its great you and your wife do what works for you all! I think its wonderful!
ReplyDeleteIt's mad how fast that year has flown by!!
ReplyDeleteAnd I don't believe for a moment that those two little angels can be anything like trouble ;-)
You have created a very special bond with those two lovelies, that will never be broken, well done.
Congrats, Kev! To many more years of not having to talk about football ;-)
ReplyDelete-Jaime
Your little girls are lovely Kev. They look so happy. They are a credit to you and your Wife.
ReplyDelete