How to be a successful stay at home dad?

Those skills (driving, housekeeping) are not skills specific to a stay at home dad, but are skills everyone ought to learn (although driving is not necessary if you live in a city like New York or San Francisco).

To be a stay at home dad one must be truly supportive of one’s spouse, and must be willing to be involved in things where you are the only man. For instance, when my daughter was in Girl Scouts, I was the parent that accompanied her on mother daughter events.

I think the skill set acquired through parenting is immensely valuable for coping with life in general. Things like organization, scheduling, versatility and self discipline come to mind, but the list is varied and endless. You will improve at everything from shopping through cooking and depending on the ages of the kids, the subset of skills you hone will surprise you. For instance, by the time my son was a toddler, It occurred to me one day that I could identify the makes & models of baby strollers at surprising distances. Which reminds me, does anyone know if Aprica’s still around? The baby through toddler period is also the era where you’re initiated into gossiping networks at parks and playgrounds. Looking back, those were heady days. I could switch out a diaper in record time. Seriously, I’d go at it like a rodeo event, with my pocket watch layed out to time the race before cheering moms and nannies. Those were the glory days.

Do your best for your kid(S), and keep in mind when it come to raising kids it doesn’t take a village, but loving parents who are committed to the task at hand.

As G.K. Chesterton once said, “The best thing a man can do for his children is … love their mother.”

(These days, of course, that would be “mothers”, but it’s the thought that counts.)

Learn to take walks.

You need to be willing to leave your home and volunteer your time, especially at the schools your children attend.