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The Trials and Tribulations of a Stay-at-home Dad

Parenting is Tougher Than the Army

By Gary Foskuhl

I survived Plebe year at West Point. I earned my wings in Army flight school. I endured nine months in Desert Storm. Yet none of those experiences prepared me for the toughest job of all: being a stay-at-home father.

For the past eight years, I have enjoyed the chaotic world of at-home parenthood. During this time, I have raised two of our children from birth. Each day, I experience firsthand the frustration and loneliness of being an at-home parent.

Life as a stay-at-home father is a constant challenge. I receive very little praise for my efforts. Did anyone walk up to me today and tell me that I did a great job of getting my children dressed this morning? No. Did I get recognized for my part in the recent family record of 157 consecutive days between visits to the children's emergency room? No. Did anybody shake my hand to acknowledge the hell that I went through to convince my 5-year-old to wear something besides his Power Ranger T-shirt and shorts during the 7-degree Fahrenheit day? No way. But go to the grocery store just once, just once when the baby is missing a sock, and it is a national disaster.

"Hey buddy, where's the kid's sock? Didn't your wife teach you about keeping his little tootsies warm?"

And the baby thinks, "Aw, what kind of dad is he, leaving my toes uncovered?"

Want to see more?

• Off to Work We Go? Two Dads Sound Off About Going Back to Work After Baby