A lot of people ask me how Chris is liking staying at home. I honestly believe he could start a blog of his own telling about his experience as a stay at home dad and all the crazy things he deals with. I have nothing but the utmost respect for my husband and for what he does for our family. He has the toughest job between the two of us and he does it very well.
I think Chris is enjoying being a stay at home dad. He loves how much time he gets to spend with the kids and I think he likes that he doesn't have a boss (unless of course you count me :) ). At the same time I think he gets stressed out, misses the interaction with other adults, and would like to have something of his own to work toward. Guitar lessons help with the latter, but I think he would love to have more.
Now that the kids are a little older and they only nap once a day he is able to get out and do more. However, there isn't much of a network for fathers who stay at home (nearly all Mom's groups), plus he isn't as social as I am, so that part has been tough for him. Not to mention how tough it is to have two toddlers who dart in opposite directions any time they are released from their stroller...it makes it tough to go out alone with them.
I've asked Chris if I can start blogging about the funny, seemingly mundane things that happen to him. He quickly said he'll try to remember and then proceeded to tell me about two of the latest shenanigans from our little trouble maker, Cooper:
Lesson: Always lock the front door
Chris was changing Charlotte's diaper in their bedroom (where the changing station is). Mid-change with a half naked baby he suddenly hears Cooper laughing in the living room. He didn't know why so he rushed to finish changing Charlotte and went out in the living room.
When he first walked out his heart stopped. There was Cooper standing at the front door -- which was wide OPEN! He was laughing and Scout was looking at him in amazement. Apparently Cooper learned how to open doors and one of us forgot to lock the front door. Chris was so glad he hadn't run into the hallway!
Lesson: Preoccupy tall babies in the car with a toy
Chris was driving home from some errands with both kids in their car seats. They are both still rear facing (because it is so much safer - see here, here, and here) and sometimes they get bored if we don't give them a toy to play with.
Chris hears this click, click, click sound come from the back. So he decided to pull over and see what the noise was. He opens up the back door and there's Cooper with his car seat straps loose! His arms are long enough to reach the lever to loosen the straps! Chris tightened him back up and gave him the length of the belt (when you pull on it the straps get tighter) and a few other toys to play with.
He was fine all the way home and seemed to forget how to do it again. I seriously hope it's a fluke...otherwise we'll have to figure out how to rig the car seat to prevent him from loosening the straps!
3 comments:
KUDOS TO STAY AT HOME DADS!!!! I think there should be more Dad Groups, I know they are starting to get more popular but still hard to find. Tell Christopher to keep up the great work, they seem to be turning out to be fantastic kids, and that I would personally love to read a blog by him with all the funny stories. Can't wait to see you guys.. can't believe it's like a week away. This month is flying by.
I too would love to read a blog from him. I think it might be able to give him something of his own to maintain. It's not as glamorous as the guitar lessons, but I've found that it's a lot easier for me to enjoy Ellie if I write about all the great and funny things she does. A blog might have a similar effect on Chris with his frustrations.
I can't imagine how hard it is for you guys to have two young ones at the same time. And for Chris - oh my gosh! I know how hard Ellie is when she is stuck inside our house all day, I can't imagine how hard it would be in a small apartment. Kids seem to be easier to handle if they're out in the sun having new adventures.
Good luck! And tell Chris I'd love to read about his experiences!
Oh and I wanted to comment on Chris not being as social as you. Michael is the same way and it is really hard for him at times. He has ended up keeping a close friendship with his best friend in NM by playing online games. The only reason either of them play is to have the opportunity to hang out. They can even talk to each other if they so desire. It might be an option if Chris is into that sort of thing.
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