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As a stay at home house-husband and published author, I really must speak up...

In our house I do absolutely everything from the cooking of all meals, changing the bed linens twice a week, all the shopping, I vacuum daily, mop every over day, take care of the garden, the pets etc. etc. I keep the house far cleaner than my wife ever would- she hates housework. I simply do not mind it. I usually have a book on CD playing as I clean- it is actually, to be honest, therapeutic.

Before I was a stay at home dad I was in the grueling restaurant business for seventeen years, and loved being in the kitchen. So my family gets a home cooked, made from scratch, meal every single night she comes home. If she has had a tough day, a hot bubble bath will be awaiting her, with a chilled glass of wine.

My wife does not even know where the cleaning supplies are- and that is the way i like it. And she is not allowed in my kitchen.

Before our situation came to be- I was working sixty hours a week, and so was she. I worked horrible hours, mainly nights and weekends, so we never got to see each other, and often communicated via a chalkboard. Our young son was stuck in day care till six each night, and was getting a C average in school.

Five years ago, I made the decision to quit my job, and focus on my writing and taking care of the family.

My son now gets almost straight A's (he just started high school.) I make him breakfast each morning, and pack his lunch, then when he comes home from school more food is waiting for him on the table.He is a great teen. I cannot imagine how he would have turned out without their being a stay at home parent.

My wife is also much happier, and making twice the money she used to- as she doesn't have to worry about anything other than her job, and it is a job she absolutely loves. I am also very contented as my first book was recently published, and I have signed the contract for three more. Also we are far closer, and happier as a family, because i actually get to spend quality time with my them both.

All in all in is a winning situation from every point of view.

Now, was it a risk quitting my job? You bet it was. But it was the second best decision I ever made- the first was, as you might have guessed, marrying my wife.

Learn more about this author, PS Gifford.
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