I am smiling inside as I watch my husband take over the stay at home duties in our household. Three weeks ago I got a job. He is amidst the job searching world but in the mean time is staying at home and taking care of the kids and the house. If you recall, we have three kids ages 7, 5 and 2. For the past 18 months my husband had been traveling Sunday thru Thursday so his time at home was very limited.
He has done an amazing job. He has had laundry adventures, shopping challenges and “cleaning” experiences that we never planned on him having. On day five of his new role he announced “the stay at home parent gets NO respect.” Can I get a AMEN!!!! He said ” I cleaned our closet and picked up the whole house and she did not even say anything”
Then he started thinking about all the times I cleaned or took on a project at home and he never said anything about it. A thankless and never ending job indeed.
This is a short term “job” for him but certainly has opened his eyes to the job of a stay at home parent which is a huge blessing. My new job will allow flexibility and I will be working for home. It is just what we need to help get us back on our feet after Mason’s treatment and the past few years of struggling business.
I love my new working shoes and I love the perspective the role reversal has brought to our family! I know that on numerous occasions I chatted with friends about how impossible it is for men to relate to the challenges and downright exhausting role of staying at home and how I wished somehow, for just a short time he could have that experience. It sure has been eye opening for both of us.
I hope you have an amazing holiday weekend with family and friends and remember, you never know what life is like for someone else unless you walk IN their shoes.
Posted on Friday, 28th May 2010 by Catherine
