Diva Dad

I'd like to take a break from the reflective, contemplative tone these posts generally take on to indulge in a bit of whining. It's not something I like to do but I've had some stuff clouding up the dad parts of my brain for a while and I feel the need to purge. So here goes.

I've given up on trying to explain to people what it's like to be a stay-at-home dad. I just let people assume that I'm idle or free from responsibilities. It's easier than trying to argue that I accomplish a lot on a daily basis or that my day is actually pretty exhausting. I think folks just don't get it because there aren't too many stay-at-home dads out there. People have their misconceptions about what it's like and they stick to those.

Stay-at-home moms have a pretty good handle on what it's like but I don't think they quite get it either. I think being a stay-at-home dad can be even more isolating than being a stay-at-home mom. There's no dad's club for me to join. There's very little in the way of a support network out there. I don't really have much to say to other moms when I meet them. It's like we're operating on two totally different wavelengths.

Furthermore, and forgive me if I'm going into the range of TMI, there's all kinds of weird stuff that happens to the male ego once a man assumes the role of stay-at-home dad. It's not a sexy, glamorous, or widely respected role in our society. At best, it's probably considered superfluous. That's a terrible way for anyone to feel. But I think it can be especially difficult for a guy to feel.

There is no parity between moms and dads. There's an annual moms' night out at the mall. There's a bajillion mom exercise and social clubs in the area. There's even a universally accepted term for hot moms. By contrast, there is no dads' night out. Dads don't socialize. And I'm pretty sure there's no such thing as a DILF.

Okay, that's enough whoa-is-me/nobody-understands-me stuff. I think I feel a little lighter now. I've unburdened my soul and feel ready to begin my daddy duties anew. Tomorrow I will try to post upbeat and uplifting vignettes.

Diva Dad, signing off.