Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Oh, to be a stay-at-home mom...I mean dad

Whitney is in Washington D.C. with her mother and 5 sisters, so I took today and Thursday and Friday off of work to be with my boys...and because we can't really afford to have someone else take care of our kids during three entire work days.

After a day (which, let's be honest here, is not sufficient to really make any conclusions), I could totally do this. I mean, be a stay-at-home dad. I woke up, had breakfast with my boys, got everyone to their preschools on time, fed some lunch, played some old-school supermario brothers and some other non-video games like wrestling and playing "monster," and designed and constructed pretty much the most awesomest train track ever built (Whitney recently bought a ton of tracks cheap from the internet).



Now we're going to eat dinner at Denny's, not because I don't want to make dinner (I totally know that's what you were all thinking), but because that's our tradition every time mommy goes away for a couple of days, just on the first night that she leaves.

Can anyone match the fatty goodness of a choose-your-own-grand-slam meal complete with bacon and sausage? I think NOT!

I'm sure the whole stay-at-home thing gets really old really fast, and it can be way harder lots of the time, but, Oh, what a pleasant day this has been :)

12 comments:

Josh and Michelle said...

Thats all very VERY good Ben.
But Can I just say that the thing my hubby (and others from what Ive heard)dont seem to understand is that we stay at home moms do all that and the dishes, laundry, vacumming, bill paying, bed making,toilet scrubbing, should I go on?
Really though, nice job!

Tiff said...

... what SHE said.

Plus we have to deal with "the novelty of you is over" tantrums as well as sick days (kids' and ours)...

But you are right. You can't beat it. It's the best job in the world.

Michal Thompson said...

Amen to the ladies above, can you please post again just before Whitney returns!

Ben said...

Oh, I totally agree. I bet that it can get pretty annoying and hectic pretty fast, even with my very small amount of experience.

Dude, you should leave the dishes and the laundry folding and vacuuming and bed making and toilet scrubbing to your husbands. it's their house too :) (Don't tell them I said that!)

Cormorant said...

Jeff will be doing the same thing while I leave for a few days next month. It's a good thing to "switch roles" every so often. It makes you appreciate the other more!

Great job and have fun!

julie said...

I bet Ben helps with the housework all the time.
Have fun enjoying the boys!

i'm jackie. he's doug. said...

Have you seen the movie "Mr. Mom"? Just don't feed Oliver any chilli.

Mom said...

I love what you said Benjamin! You are a great dad and a great husband. Your wife and children are very lucky/blessed to have you. You know it's not an easy job to be a family man or woman, however it can be happy and fun when we help each other AND take time for ourselves, too. Make sure you take some time for YOU, too. Hugs and Kisses to my boys!

Melanie Sharp said...

I hate when I leave Phil with the kids and come home to find everything in order and life going smoothly. It totally takes the steam out of my pity card when I have a rough day and want to complain about it! You could at least act like it's hard, and like you could NEVER survive it long-term.... c'mon, for Whitney's sake at least act like you're struggling a little :-)

Alys said...

That sounds like a lot of fun. And, it is good that you are having fun. It will make Whitney not feel so bad for being away. Good luck with the next few days.

Alicia said...

I just read a few of the recent posts and your family is adorable! The three kids in a basket is definitely a keeper, and keep up with the marathon training...you are brave!

Lisa Busath said...

I happen to know for A FACT that ben does a TON of housework. Even Whit will tell you she hasn't scrubbed a toilet more than a dozen times since they've been married (almost 8 years!). Ben is an amazing husband and father. Oh, that more men could be like him. Whitney is one lucky girl to have you, which she will readily admit. But I think Ben is lucky too, but I may be a bit prejudice! Thanks for letting her go to D.C. for our trip. We had a blast!