SillyDad.com!

You were man of the house when you were a working dad - what a better opportunity now that you actually are at the house during the day. You now have the ability to really live up to your title as “Man of the House”. It didn’t take me long when I first became a Stay at Home Dad to realize I have full reign over the house. Well, at least until “mommy” got home at night. But, hey, I was able to arrange things in the house that I felt needed rearranging. I was able to better organize the home in a way I felt was best for the family.

What inspired me to write this was actually a conversation I heard from 2 stay at home dads just recently. They were feeling down in the dumps because they both have been full time stay at home dads for about a year and friends and family would “razz” them a little bit about who wore the pants in the relationship. Of course they would laugh about it in front of them and it just hurt their image as “Man of the House”, as if they were stripped of that title.

Well relax, some people just don’t know how to take a situation like that and turn it into an opportunity. I used to feel the same way, but then I realized I WAS the man of the house and it is easier because now I actually stay home. How can I live up to my title if I was away 40 to 60 hours per week? ah ha!

Take charge of the house boys! Don’t let the wife tell you where the crockpot lives, or where to stash the pots and pans. It is your duty to keep the house organized the way YOU want it.

-sillydad 

Last night, Elizabeth came running with a tissue in her mouth. “Daddy, daddy, I juf pulled my toof out..” Now that is all she wants to talk about is how she yanked her tooth out while watching TV…

She has been feeling around for more loose teeth she could possibly yank out. She has stressed several times already that she can’t wait to get back to school so she can show her friends and her teacher she yanked out her tooth…

Oh the good ol’ days of being young and excited!

-sillydad

Check out this diaper bag for dad. I get a lot of questions directed at me as to what I use for a diaper bag. I don’t have the one displayed here but this one looks kinda cool. Trust me, as a Stay at Home Dad, you will want a nice diaper bag to bring with you out in public. Forget the ones mommy usually brings. You are now an official SAHD so get serious and get yourself a decent bag you are comfortable with. You will want to be able to fit stuff in it like diapers, baby wipes, bottles, and towels. What is important is a long strap so you can sling it around your opposite shoulder. Men don’t carry bags like a purse, we slip the strap up over our head and hang it on our opposite shoulder. So a nice long shoulder strap is very important. Or you can try out the one displayed here and where it around your waist. Click on the link to read more about it.

“Daddy Belt - A Father’s Alternative to Diaper Bags”

-sillydad

Here is Elizabeth who cannot stop wiggling her first loose tooth. She is both excited and fearful of the very fact she will some day lose it.

I remember when I started losing teeth as a child. I was not much of a daring person like some of my friends who just reached in and yanked theirs out. Oh no, I was the type that let the tooth hang from one long string. I kept that tooth in there as long as I could. Usually it was the same case with every loose tooth I had, I woke up and found the tooth laying on my pillow. I was just not a tooth puller in the least.

What about you…? Were you the type to tie one end of a string to your tooth and the other to a door knob and then slam the door? Did you reach in and pull it out with your hands, or did you let it hang loose until it simply fell out?

-sillydad

Here is a recent photo of my youngest, Emma, who is now 14 months. What a cutie she is! This is her grinning as I call her name to get her attention to look at the camera.

This week is Winter break so Elizabeth is at home all week just like the “old days.” I sure do miss her being around all the time as she is always a great help.

It is amazing this is Winter break. We haven’t even gotten but a few inches of snow over the course of the Winter. That is rare for Maine, and in fact, looking back on it, I haven’t had to shovel the driveway once. In another week or so it will be March 1st. I think we may escape with a mild winter under our belt. I look forward to Spring and getting back to some outdoor projects around the house.

Anybody have projects they want to do come Spring?

-sillydad

Recently I was in a discussion with a Stay at Home Dad with one child. He stressed over the fact that he felt guilty if he had to leave the child for a moment and go do something.. like swap out the laundry, do dishes, or make a phone call. The little child would just sit there by themselves and he felt guilty.

First off, he shouldn’t feel guilty and the child could use some alone time. Children aren’t going to be neglected if you leave them for a few seconds. But when I had one child I felt the same things. Most of your day you had to spend reading to them, playing blocks with them, and walking them around. All your time was completely spent on them.

Now that I have 4 children things have become much easier in that sense. Yes, in another sense it is harder because there are just simply more of them, but I don’t have to be right there all the time. My oldest is in kindergarden and so 3 of the kids stay at home with me all day. I put up a gate and close off a couple of rooms so the kids can play and run around. They are all completely content with one another and actually play hard, all the while I am in the next room over doing dishes, cooking, or cleaning up the kitchen. This gives me added opportunity to get other things done without feeling I am neglecting any of them.

I am always earshot away so I know what tricks they are up to and yet I don’t have to be a participant in their game of blocks, or when they play house.

So don’t laugh when somebody says it is easier with more children than with just one, because in a sense it is…

-sillydad

Well here is a picture of me sitting at my desk. Check out the hair… it is all gone! Zing! Zang! No hair. Well there is hair but not much.

So what’ya think?

-Sillydad

If your child hasn’t yet gone to school you may not be aware of what’s to come. There were a list of things I stored mentally away to prepare myself for things to come as soon as my oldest headed off to kindergarden. One of the things I wish somebody warned me about is all the birthday party invitations your child gets. My daughter just got her 7th invitation yesterday. She has only been able to go to 2, and probably this will be her 3rd next week.

The need to work your schedule around these parties can actually be insane when you have a wife that works 6 days a week and you have 3 other kids at home. I am happy to see my child out there making friends and sharing parties with her classmates but ‘dear Lord’.. I can’t believe the invitations.

Anybody else get invitations? Or maybe you sent out invitations for your own child?

My previous post put Bode Miller down as an athlete all together and I sort of feel bad. Though I disagree with his tactics, he did say something after he finished 5th place that makes me think there might be more to Bode Miller than the media likes to portray him.

He said he skied well and only made a couple mistakes. If he hadn’t have made those couple of mistakes he may have gotten 2nd place. He also admitted the French skier won the Gold by outskiing everybody. I thought that was a respectable comment. All day yesterday on the news and updates all I heard was how Bode Miller finished with an upsetting 5th place. COME ON! The guy got 5th place! Is that so bad?? Gee wizzz…

The kid skied real well and anybody that lands themselves in the top 10 at the Olympics has had a good performance. Leave the dude alone, Bode skied well and took 5th. He has other competitions this week so let’s relax on the “disappointing and upsetting finish by Bode Miller” crap…

When I was a child I remember the Olympic Games were somewhat of a family event. My parents had a television in their bedroom and I remember curling up in their bed next to my dad watching ski jumping or the bobsled. Those were the good old days, when I had a million and one questions about the sports and everything was new to me.

I want my children to experience the Olympic Games similarly but either I have wisened up or the athletes are not the same as they used to be 20 years ago. Now, I want to try and focus on the good things about the Games, where athletes have worked hard all their lives and have earned their medals. I am not saying there aren’t athletes who do this today but I find the attitudes of some of the athletes, coaches, and even commontators to come across the TV screen negatively.

Bode Miller for example. I think the guy has worked hard and has medals under his belt, but his attitude does not represent anything I was ever taught a good sportsman should have. Obviously, his success has gone directly to his brain, he promotes by example his attitude of doing things “his own way”. I am not saying you can’t try new things, but the guy has made a name for himself as such, and I find it is very important as an athlete to listen to what others have to say.

Emily Hughes, the figure skater who is now replacing the injured Michelle Kwon is another athlete on my mind. I am very happy for her and I agree she should be happy as this is a once in a lifetime event possibly. This now her chance to make her life dream come true, but never once have I heard say she felt sorry for Kwon. As soon as she heard Kwon was flying home she rejoiced and said what wonderful news. Now, again, I am not saying Emily shouldn’t be happy, but I think she should have dealt with the situation a little differently. Maybe she was so caught up in her rejoicing she wasn’t thinking. People do weird things when they are nervous, but I would have at least said something like this, “First off, I feel sorry for Kwon for what has happened to her and I know this has meant a lot to her and from one American to another I know if she wasn’t able to skate then she would be honest and true to her decision and I trust her judgment.” And then from there say you are excited to take her spot and you are thrilled to have the opportunity.

To me it shows there is no sense of “team” and it is all about themselves.

Anybody feel the same way about the Olympic Games as of late? Have you even been watching it? I think it is a great opportunity to spend time with your children and family and getting a good dose of culture about the world. It is a good time to share with your children who you are. Are you American? Are your ancestors from Italy? Children can see where Great Grammy and Grampa are from for example.

Before you read this just be aware that this is strictly fiction and is not based off of true events… Enjoy!

Poor Old Dad
There once was a Stay at Home Dad from Maine…
Who nearly lost his brain.
The kids whined and cried,
And even lied.
He practically went insane!

From breakfast to lunch, to dinner time,
He listened to each of them whine.
Give me that ball,
No.. give me that doll
Let me have it… it is mine!

So poor old dad struggled a tad
and tried hard not to get mad.
When what’ya know
He stubbed his toe..
Now poor old dad is sad.

“Oh what can I do?” he asked in despair
But nobody seemed to care.
Let’s go outside,
Maybe we can go for a ride
Just to get me out of their snare!

He packed up a lunch and made peanut butter and fluff,
knowing very well this could be rough.
But with courage and might,
And a sprinkle of fright
He took the situation by the cuff.

“Climb into the car!” he said with a cry
And the children did reply…
And so off they flew
As if he knew
That he sure had to try!

When they arrived at the park the kids were jumping with glee,
Until the oldest tripped and skunned her knee.
So the first move Dad made
Was to practice first aid,
And off to the car he did flee….

Abruptly arriving he slid open the door
And began to search on the floor.
The kit must be here
Then there was fear,
When he knew the problem was more.

And just like an irresponsible louse;
Just like the most horrific spouse;
He soon did learn
When his heart did burn,
He left little Sammy at the house!

Copyright© Steven Remington

Hey, Stay at Home Dads, have you thought about starting a business from your home? Sounds hard doesn’t it, especially with all the hard work keeping up with the soiled diapers, cooking, and cleaning? But seriously think about what it would be like to have your own business. Now, you don’t need to be bringing in more cash than your wife, but let’s say you started small and did what you could, when you could, and started supplementing… hmmm

If you started now and worked your way up, by the time your child (or children) are no longer at home all day but at school, you could then spend all that extra time working for yourself. As a stay at home dad, myself, my wife could care less if I made any money. In fact, she takes a lot of pride in bringing home all the bacon. And with this knowledge, I am totally risk free. If I fail, hey I learned something and I am not back at the unemployment office trying to find a way to pay my bills.

Well, that sounds ideal but what is out there that you can do? That is a good question and I know there are things you can get into if you really thought long enough. Not to sound deceitful, but take on your job initially as maybe more of a passionate hobby. There is no need to tell others what your plans are, unless of course you feel you have to. Personally, I would let things evolve and not let expectations get in the way.

So what can us Stay at Home Dads do? Well, photography could be interesting. Set up a room and snap pictures of people and family. Remember, there is no risk so just make sure you cover costs and don’t be in so much of a hurry to make all kinds of money. Spend more time developing a good reputation in your new passionate hobby.

Do you like to build things from wood? Create gift boxes or wine crates and sell them to wineries and wholesalers? Can you bake? Start baking by the dozens and get out into your community and let others start tasting your food. Don’t worry about making all that money, there is no risk. The best way to enter a business plan is by eliminating risk. So make sure you choose to do something that you ultimately enjoy, because if your business fails you at least did it because you really like it.

Are you a writer? Sit down in the evenings and/or at nap time and write. Try to get into journalism or get a book published.

Now, you could bring your child with you on the job, that is if the job you do allows it. For instance, delivering newspapers. Strap on a kid pack to your back and carry your child with you. Great way to stay in shape, provide the child some stimulation, and at the same time pocket some cash. OK newspapers isn’t really a fun idea, but what if it was your own publication??? BINGO!

Start a Stay at Home Dad journal in your community and deliver it once a week. Put in stories, and ideas, and let the publication be free. Visit local shops and pizza joints and ask them if they would like to be advertised in the newest publication? Give them a price they can’t refuse, there is no risk remember?? Just cover the costs for now. Once you get them hooked and you are printing out your weekly Stay at Home Dad publication by the thousands is when you can begin to up the price slowly. Expand! Grow! Have Fun! And at NO RISK!

Just toss around ideas and take it slow. Think things through and have fun. Don’t just sit at home and wait for mommy to come home from her job so you can slave in the kitchen.. Get out there, and bring your kid(s).

If you have any ideas for dads who stay home please feel free to share them with us.

-sillydad

Well let me tell you, it has been a long winter so far. I wouldn’t think it would feel so long as the weather has been quite mild and the snow just has not been falling. Unfortunately this hasn’t kept the flu and cold season from going away.

The last 2 days Elizabeth has stayed home from school and the entire family was in bed with the flu. This morning seems a bit better for us all as we attempt to jump back into normal routines with uplifted spirits. Personally, I haven’t eaten more than toast and some crackers here and there. Only good thing about the flu is it takes off unwanted weight! I think I dropped one pants size since Monday.

Though things seemed to look down there for a bit, I am happy to say we are all on the rebound.

Whatever is going around isn’t pleasant. About 2 weeks ago I caught a nasty virus and it is still holding on. Unfortunately the symptoms are “tickly throat”, phlegm, and the nastiest cough that makes everybody stop and stare in concern for your life.

Once I start coughing I can’t stop. It is fun when you are in public trying to get your coughing fit under control. Strangers stare as if wanting to help, but not sure how close they should get. I don’t know who to feel bad for, them or me…

But NyQuil helps at night until it slowly wears off come morning, when all that mucus wants to resurface. I hope that painted a nice picture in your mind..

And poor little Emma has a nasty cough. It is sad to see a one year old coughing and hacking like me. Any of you out there avoid the plague so far?

I noticed a lot of Dad blogs are being created more and more these days than just even a few months ago. Could it be I am just getting out there and seeing who is hiding behind the mainstream dad blogs? Could be! But I see their archives not going back more than a few months. Mine is the same way only becuase I transferred to new blog software and decided not to carry over a lot of my older posts.

Dad bloggers seem to be still a unique blogosphere, but each day growing. I find that Dad blogs are different in nature and they tend to help each other out more than some of the other more saturated blogospheres such as Politics, Parenting in general, and even Religion.

Why is it dads seem to be so nice to each other, exchanging links, posting on each other’s blogs, and supporting one another?

Take a look at some of the other more saturated blogospheres and let’s figure out why they seem to be more competetive, less friendly, and more hot-headed than the dad blogoshere.

What are your conclusions? What destinctions can you come up with that separates us from the rest of the pack? In other words, what is wrong with maine stream blogging in general?

Help me out here?