Traditionally, women stayed at home with their children while the father worked to provide for the family. However, these trends are shifting toward more women focusing on their careers while the fathers stay at home.
If you’re a stay-at-home dad, you know that it can be a rewarding experience that also comes with some challenges. Whether you’re new to staying home with your kids or you’ve been a SAHD for a while, there are many things you can do to make life easier for everyone.
From bonding with your child to learning how to establish daily routines, read on for some helpful tips and advice that will make being a stay-at-home dad an amazing experience. And you’ll treasure these memories when you look back on this precious time in your life.
Stay at Home Dads Statistics
The number of full-time stay-at-home dads is rising in the United States. In 2016, 17-percent of dads stayed at home. This was a 10-percent increase from 1989 when the idea was still considered less than the norm.
Today, approximately 1.4 million dads stay at home with their kids. The peak was 2.2 million in 2010, right after the significant US recession. This was a massive increase from just a decade ago when the number was closer to half of that.
The trends for SAHDs are constantly shifting, and it looks like more fathers are opting to stay home with their kids than ever before.
Why are Men Becoming Stay-at-home Dads?
You may wonder why more men are choosing to become stay-at-home dads. Some of the reasons include:
- More options for remote work, freelancing, and the ability to work from home full-time
- Possible job loss may lead to staying at home with the children and rethinking the typical family structure
- Women are opting to return to the workforce and have greater earning opportunities
- Some fathers may be ill or disabled but can still offer to help watch the kids and maintain the home
- Many fathers want to be more present in their child’s life, and being a stay-at-home dad is a great way to do so
- Retired males may choose to be a SAHD while their wife continues to work outside of the home.
What are the Benefits of Stay-at-home Dads?
There are many benefits to being a stay-at-home dad. While they may not all apply to you, here are some of the most common benefits that being a SAHD provides.
Elimination of Childcare Costs
Paying for daycare can be costly, but being a stay-at-home dad helps your family save on these high costs. The average cost of childcare in America is approximately $10,000 annually, so it’s easy to see why having a parent at home full-time can be a real money saver.
Bonding with your Child
Spending a lot of time with your child is a beautiful way to create a strong bond. Whether through homework, reading stories, or simply being together, stay-at-home dads have a unique opportunity to start and maintain a strong bond with their kids.
Stronger Relationships with your Partner
Being at home with your children full-time may also improve your relationship with your partner. You won’t have to worry about long days and nights at the office. You also have a chance to get chores and home maintenance tasks done. It also promotes a happy and healthy family environment, which can do wonders for your relationship with your spouse.
Redefining Social Norms
The “norm” was that women stayed at home with the kids while the father worked full-time. Being a stay-at-home dad means you’re helping to redefine standard social norms and try something new.
Positive Outcomes for Children
A strong relationship with a father is essential for healthy childhood development. When you’re a stay-at-home dad, you’re helping to encourage a much more positive outcome later in life for your child. Being involved in your child’s life can help improve their self-confidence, health, and overall well-being.
Tips for Survival
While there are many benefits to being a stay-at-home dad, it also comes with many challenges. Here are some tips to help you survive this period of your life.
1. Maintain Clear Communication with your Partner on Responsibilities
As a stay-at-home dad, it might feel like your responsibilities are greater than usual. Keep the communication lines with your wife or partner open, and let them know if you need some help.
Setting boundaries and assigning tasks to each partner will make being a SAHD much easier for you and everyone in the family.
2. Get to Know your Kids
Now is a wonderful opportunity to take some time to really get to know your kids. Learn about the things they enjoy, and make sure you foster their creativity and imagination so that they develop a strong sense of self.
When you’re with your child on a full-time basis, it gives you the chance to truly know more about who they are as an individual, improving your relationship with them.
3. Establish a SAHD Routine
Having a set schedule is important, so try to develop a daily routine that you and your children can both live with. Sit down and write out a daily routine that applies to you, your kids, and both of you together. When you have a routine in place, it’s much easier to maintain structure and order in the home and your life as a whole.
4. Find Time for Yourself
While being a stay-at-home dad is demanding, it’s essential to make sure that you take some time for yourself, too. Whether it’s planning a night out with friends to watch the game or just doing something alone, always try to remember that you deserve a break and a chance to get to do some of the things you love.
5. Stay on Top of Your Child’s Education
If you are homeschooling, it’s vital to make sure you’re following the right curriculum for your child based on their age and grade level. If you watch your child before and after school, be sure to have an active role in their education. You should talk to their teachers, help them with homework, and assist your child when they need help with complex subjects.
6. Plan your Day Ahead
Aside from a routine, it’s essential to plan for each day in advance. This will make it easier to stick to a schedule. You’ll be able to remember the important things that need to be done much more easily when everything is laid out ahead of time.
7. Plan Fun Activities with Your Child
Don’t forget to plan a few fun activities you can do together with your child. Whether heading to the park for playtime, going to the movies, or working on fun hobbies at home, this is a vital part of developing a solid bond.
8. Play with Them
Remember that you’re not a babysitter but rather a parent who happens to spend all day with your child. While you don’t have to play with them all the time, set aside a bit of time each day so that you can join in on the fun.
9. Clean Daily
Make sure you do some minor housekeeping and cleaning each day and try not to let things get out of control. Not only will this help you feel better, but it also takes quite a burden off of your partner too.
10. Connect with Other Parents
As a stay-at-home dad, it’s essential to feel connected with others doing the same thing. Look for local meetup groups or find some stay-at-home parenting groups online so you have support and a sense of community. It’s also a terrific resource for insight and information from other parents who stay at home with their kids.
11. Connect with Moms too
Don’t be afraid to reach out to some stay-at-home moms if you need advice. They can offer you tips and tricks that will make staying home with your kids easier.
12. Seek Advice or Help
If you feel overwhelmed or out of your league, don’t hesitate to ask someone for help or advice. Getting help can make it much less stressful when things start to feel like they’re out of control. You can find help through other parenting groups or even reach out to a therapist if you’re struggling.
13. Embrace the Role
Being a stay-at-home dad is a privilege denied to many. Take this opportunity to embrace the role. Keep in mind that you’ll be there for significant milestones in your child’s life and develop a strong bond that not all parents can create.
14. Push Yourself, don’t Punish Yourself
It’s okay to push yourself to be the best parent and caregiver you can be. However, there will also be times when you may make a few mistakes. Remember not to punish yourself or be too hard on yourself when things aren’t perfect. Just brush it off and keep forging ahead.
15. Do what Works Until it Doesn’t
If you find a routine that works for you and your kids, stick to it. Stick to the things that work and move on from those that don’t. However, if things suddenly stop working for your family or your schedule, then it’s time to adapt and change your routine to something new.
16. It is Okay to Feel Overwhelmed
Remember that it’s perfectly normal to feel overwhelmed at times. Between feeding the kids, keeping up with housework, and doing your job, the SAHD life can be tough. Don’t forget that you’re not alone and that it’s OK if you are feeling overwhelmed occasionally. Take a deep breath and remember to take some time for yourself if things feel out of control.
How to Make Money as a Stay-at-Home Dad
Being a stay-at-home dad offers new opportunities to make money. Here are some tips to help you bring some income into the home without leaving the house.
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Blogging
Starting a blog is a great way to tell your story and make some money in the process. Set up a blogging website, post new content as often as possible, and include some affiliate products you can promote to help you earn extra cash.
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Online Store
You can start your online store virtually without ever having to leave your home or pay for a warehouse. Look into business models like drop shipping that require you to set up and promote your website to get sales.
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Freelance Writing Work
If you enjoy writing, look into doing some freelance writing jobs for money. You can write for clients directly or work through an agency to make money from home.
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Get Paid to Try New Products
Many companies pay people to try and review their products. You don’t have to be an Influencer to take advantage of this opportunity. Look for brands that offer money or free products in exchange for an honest review.
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Mystery Shopper
Mystery shopping is a great way to get your everyday shopping done while making some extra cash. This job involves going to specific stores, buying particular items, and then relaying your experience back to the company for payment.
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Teach an Online Course
If you have a passion for a certain subject, consider teaching an online course. This is a wonderful way to feel fulfilled while sharing your knowledge with others and getting paid in the process.
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Write Product Reviews
Some companies pay for written reviews of their products. Look for referral programs that will pay you to test out products and post your review on various websites.
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Rent Out a Room in Your Home
If you have the space, renting an extra room in your home is a great way to make some extra money. Of course, you’ll want to discuss this option with your partner before you decide if it’s the right choice for you and your family.
Many men across the US are starting to defy societal norms and become full-time stay-at-home dads. If you think this is the right move for you, it’s a lifestyle that can be highly challenging and fulfilling in many ways. A stay-at-home dad has the chance to bond with their kids, spend more time with them, and develop strong relationships that will last a lifetime.
