I believe that full time parents have the hardest jobs out there. (Ok, maybe brain surgeons and soldiers on the front line tie for second place.) I just feel so proud that I know people who have chosen to be full time parents. What a gift to not only their children, but also society as a whole. Notice how I am not using the term “stay-at-home” mom or dad. This is intentional. Because I’ve heard it so often, my natural inclination is to use that term: “stay-at-home,” however I read this great article today in USA Today that has changed my mind. The article is about a man named Michael Paranzino. He states on his website:
“Forget the ‘stay at home’ nonsense. When was the last time we stayed in one place for more than 5 minutes? Our kids are constantly on the run, and so are we. It is time for ‘stay at home’ fathers (and mothers) to go on offense. And it starts by renaming ourselves. Say it with me: ‘I am a full time father’.”
I wholeheartedly agree, Michael! He goes on to say that the full time parents who have put their children ahead of their careers because they think it will benefit their children, and in the meantime have actually come to ENJOY it, are perfect readers for his website. Michael is one of today’s heroes.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, out of the 26.5 million men in America who have children under 18 years of age, there are 98,000 fathers who are choosing fatherhood as their full time career. To be honest, I don’t care it is is Dad or Mom choosing this career…I just believe it should be one of the parents. I am also impressed by a site for mothers, Hearts At Home. The site works to meet the needs of women in the profession of motherhood. Finally!
At this point in our lives, Jason and I have not yet been blessed with the pitter patter of little feet in our home. God willing, one day there will be some sticky hands around here for me to clean. We feel it is our responsibility and our duty to make the choices in our lives now, in order to have one of us be the full time parent, when the day comes.
So if you are one of today’s heroes, I salute you. You are changing the world, one child at a time.
I think being a parent would be difficult, for I’d fret of doing the wrong thing. Morally, and messing up their life. So I hope to not be a parent, ever.
Your entry made me smile as a “sahm” to a 2 year old little boy it’s nice to know some people realize 2 hours of sleep a night isn’t as “easy” as everyone makes it out to be, my MIL always tells her friends that I’m “just a mom” yet she had a nanny and stayed at home full time in reality doing neither working nor full time parenting while her children were growing up, it’s just nice to have it recognized once in a while that we really do something aside from lay around all day and eat chocolate or watch tv. :)
My husband is a full time parent to our eight month old daughter. While he is enjoying it immensely, it was a sacrifice for him. I thank God every day I leave for work as I kiss them both, that our child in his capable hands.
Being a parent is the most awesome reward that anyone could receive. Yes, it takes dedication and patience, but it is worth it. When i first became a mother, I never thought I would have the patience to stay at home with my kid(s). I worked full time believing that was the way I could handle it best. What I found out when my son was born was that the desire to stay at home with my 2 children was more important than any lucrative job. Amazingly, the patience, love, and dedication just came naturally as it was in me the whole time. I just didn’t see it. I also found that being a full-time parent was actually less congested (morning rush hour!) than working and the rewards are endless!
I am what you conceder a full time parent, but also am part owner of my business which is out of our home. It is wonderful to do work while the kids are resting and with a 4 1/2 yr old and 1yr old, you embrace those nap times. You ARE constently on the run from morning to night. I was scared at first (like “Sandy” wrote) that I wouldn’t “MOLD” my children correctly. But I can safely say that they are excellent Children. We imagine we are trains or zoo animals we play drums on the pots and pans. We even dance goofy to music and blow bubbles in the house or outside. However, I also teach them Spanish and colors and a little sign language and how to write. We have a regular “class time” one week it may be crafts, next week maybe gym, maybe writing the following, etc. The point is we have fun and enjoy eachothers time together. When I start talking baby talk, my husband knows it time to take me out on ADULT NIGHT OUT. Again, I love being at home with the kids and working out of my home. When they are up my business gets put on hold (or at times my 4 1/2 yr old likes to help out) and I spend QUALITY time with my kids. ENJOY AND EMBRACE EVERY MOMENT WITH THESE YOUNG ENTREPEUNERS THAT GOD SO LOVINGLY BLESSED US TO RAISE. GOD BLESS ALL PARENTS!