Originally published in 2011 on AtHomeDad.org In nine years as an at-home dad, I have taken my kids to countless grocery stores, hardware stores, doctor’s appointments (mine and theirs), banks, playgrounds, museums and post offices all during normal working hours. I often hear, “so it’s daddy’s day! How sweet,” or “it looks like you have a few helpers with you today,” or, “WOW! They are so well-behaved,” shocked that a dad is capable of competently corralling four kids, or the worst, “looks like you’re babysitting the kids today.” I have never asked, but I doubt many moms, working or at home ever hear these things. Earlier this week, though, I heard one person’s assumptions about the reasons I would have 4 kids with me at 3:30 on a cold Tuesday afternoon. The words this clerk at a local grocery store said to me topped all other assumptions anyone else had ever made about me. After picking up our two older ones from school, I headed over to the grocery store to pick up a few things for dinner and flowers for my wife. She had been having a challenging time at work and I thought the flowers would help. Yes, I’ll accept the “Husband of the Year” award now. Anyway, we picked out a dozen roses and brought the bunch to the florist’s counter to pay for them. The lady behind the counter wondered if it was my wife’s birthday. “No,” Miles our 7 year old said, “she’s traveling.” (My wife actually was in town that day but because of her travel schedule they never remember when she’s in town and when she isn’t). “Oh, so she’s in sales,” the woman said. “Yes,” Miles replied, “She works at ConAgra.” “Well, it’s sure great that your dad gets to stay home with you,” the florist said. I was floored. For the first time in 9 years, a stranger seeing me, a dad, with 4 kids in the middle of the workday assumed I was an at-home dad! Those of you who are not at-home dads are probably thinking, “who cares?” It’s validation for one thing. Hearing a stranger correctly understand who you are gives you a sense of belonging to the larger community. When people assume you’re only babysitting the kids, you feel like you’re doing something wrong; something that a man is not supposed to do. By identifying me as an at-home dad, this cashier made me feel like being an at-home dad was the most normal thing in the world. While I already feel that way about myself, it is reassuring when someone else gets it too. It also confirms society is changing its views of parenthood. Trends have been changing. Fathers are becoming more actively involved with their children according to many studies including the latest Census report showing an increase in fathers as primary caregivers. Despite these facts, many people have held on to “traditional” views on parenting. Assuming I am an at-home dad proves that perceptions of fathers are inching closer to reality. Finally, it is such a relief to not have to explain myself. It is tiring, even irritating at times, to continually feel like you have to explain, “yes, I am really taking care of all these kids and I chose to do this.” If you’ve ever done something outside of the norm, you understand what I mean. Having a conversation with someone without them being utterly confused about who I am is awesome! I am sure I will still run into people who can’t imagine a father can be more than a babysitter for a few hours but I now know there are people who don’t think that way. I now know there are people who assume a dad in the grocery store with 4 kids on a workday afternoon is an at-home parent and that it is the most normal thing in the world. *** If you believe, as I do, that Dads Don't Babysit, wear that statement with pride and help support stay-at-home dads by purchasing the Dads Don't Babyst t-shirt in the above graphic. |
Al WattsFather of 4, Husband, Catholic, Historian, published author, LGBTQ+ ally, runner, sports fan (he/him/his) Archives
May 2020
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