"Mr. Mom" In The News

Yesterday morning the Today Show did a little story about the current economic downturn boosting stay at home dad numbers. They do make a few good points specifically for those dads that have been laid off and a few good tips in general. But unfortunately they also, to a certain extent, implied that stay at home dads are "forced" into staying at home and that "Most dads don't know what they are doing."

The other thing that bothers me and most other stay at home dads is the common use of "Mr. Mom". Look, I understand that it was a popular movie and that it is often the only frame of reference for many people when it comes to SAHDs. What I don't understand is why the use of this term doesn't bother most women. Calling me "Mr. Mom" blatantly implies that caring for my children and maintaining a home is "woman's work". That shouldn't just bother me, it should offend most anyone. To put it another way; When the Today Show does a story on the rise of women filling CEO positions will they use "Playing Mrs. Dad" for the title?

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I Am Daddy! Hear Me Roar!

According to a new study from Montana State University, Stay At Home Dads aren't such a new phenomenon after all. Looks like the playground in Jurassic Park is filled with fathers.

A Montana State University study published in the Dec. 19 issue of Science says that males from three types of dinosaurs were sole care givers for their mate's eggs. They may even have had multiple mates and watched all their eggs at once.

"Scientists have long debated which care system, male-only or both parents, evolved first," Varricchio said. "The new research indicates that male-only care came first, evolving within the closest dinosaur ancestors of birds."

"Mr. Mom" THAT John Hagee!.. oh wait, I forgot, you don't believe in dinosaurs... or science.

Hero(es) of The Week: Minnesota Dads At Home

My level of involvement with MDAH has dwindled since I first joined up with them after Q was born. They are a fantastic group of guys that I wish our schedule would allow me to hang out more with. Looking at myself in the mirror, I wish I would have at least made time for the Friday morning run around Lake Calhoun.

Over the past few weeks this group of stay at home dads has really demonstrated what it means to lead by example and be an at home role model to their kids. One of the dads has been struck with some major medical issues and is, last I heard, in some level of coma. When the news of this tragedy broke to the group there was an immediate outpouring of prayers, offers, and planning to help the family in anyway they could. Today, the family's yard work is being done by an army of Stay at Home Dads. I think there are plans to finish some painting another day.

The Invisible Man

Crazy Old Lady At The Grocery Store: "I'm concerned about this baby being left unattended."

DK: "I think me standing right here next to him disqualifies him from being unattended."

COLATGS: "No. Where is his mother?"

Kids, there are times in life when lying is not only forgivable but necessary. Sometimes it's to save the feelings of those you love, an attempt to keep you out of a Turkish Prison, or in this case an attempt to make some old lady feel bad for saying something really fucking stupid and offensive.

DK: "She died about a month ago... But thanks for your concern."

I know I can buy carbon offsets....

...but where can I get sissy offsets. I need to build something or play some tackle football. Maybe I should pick up smoking cigars again. That's manly.

This arrived in my email the other day....


...and I briefly considered going. I think K8 will be going in my stead. If you decide to go too, make sure to say hi to her. She should be easy to find. She'll be the most beautiful woman in the room (aaahhh) and she will be talking about how she has the best husband in the whole wide world ;)

I'll be getting plenty of "girl talk" tomorrow night at Bar Abeline with my mom friends for another well deserved "Moms' Night Out" I can already taste the margaritas... um, I mean beer. I am continuously amazed how this group of stay at home moms are willing to put up with this stay at home dad. I really am lucky I managed to find such great friends willing to look past my manly veneer... eroded as it may be.

Stay at home dads on Today Show