by Bob Zimmerman

Created on: September 22, 2009   Last Updated: November 12, 2009

I work in the manufacturing industry,and like many others affected by the recession of 2009. I have been laid off. I don't know when or if I'll be called back to work but it has been since April. Things have changed around here. My wife and I have a seven month old daughter who requires the normal amount of attention.

My wife who used to stay at home with our daughter has gone back to work at a daycare. I have become a stay at home dad for now. It seems to me that I have gotten plenty of response from others about this. Many people have commented on how lucky I am to be able to spend so much time with my infant who is quickly growing towards being a toddler. I agree. I have seen her first time sitting up on her own, her first time crawling, her first time successfully navigating one of those learning toys where you drop the ball in the top. I have loved and hated it all.

Although I love my daughter very much I must be honest, I miss working and bringing home a paycheck. I feel somehow like less of a man changing diapers and coddling a baby, even though many of the women at church have commented on how they think it's great how much I do with her. Even my own pastor agrees with me the man should be out working.

I'm not sure what it is society expects me to do since I didn't voluntarily give up the life I had. I was forced into this one. You can't really blame one person for making things the way they are now, we all have greed and all are responsible. I don't think society has as much of a problem with me being a stay at home dad as I do. I am my biggest critic and probably always will be. I think most people now just keep their opinions to themselves. After all God forbid you should say something wrong them have to make a public apology. I think you all know what I'm talking about, if you don't, watch the news once in a while.

If I wasn't a stay at home dad I couldn't be writing these articles. I do love my time behind the keyboard, sitting hear with my glass of cranberry juice on an old drop leaf table made in Sheboygan Wisconsin. Enjoy the time your given.

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