Good morning and happy Monday. I was prepared to compose a "feel good" post this A.M., but I heard "that" annoying question yesterday afternoon and I can't let it go. Any guess as to what was said? Here's a hint... it's arguably the unsolicited question that
Perhaps this event is the equivalent of witnessing a purple three-legged giraffe walking down the street for some individuals, but truly once in a blue moon a dad might take the kids out of the house without a mom. Is this really so unusual? Come on! I was just hanging out at Petsmart minding my own business with the triplets and playing with the kittens available for adoption when an
Uh, let me ponder that one for a sec.............
Now
OK, I'm starting to feel better. I'm telling myself that she didn't mean any harm. But why if she felt the need to say something didn't she find something more creative to ask or at the least offer a canned compliment? What did she have to gain by asking me "that" annoying question? To me, this ranks fairly close on the insensitivity scale to asking a dieter how much more he intends to lose...or a single woman in her mid-30's when she's getting married.
Here's a suggestion for next time......let's just talk about the weather. Out.
10 comments:
You are my first Dad blogger and it was a great soapbox. Speaking for my generation, the over 50 crowd, it is unusual. I have always felt that the person who wanted to stay at home should do it, regardless of gender. It's a tough gig but if you can afford it, it's a good one.
Some of the most involved parents at my school are dads - and they aren't giving the mom a break. They are just doing their job.
I totally get your point on this.
I know. I hear that a lot too on my day off with the boy. It's always from older women. I want to ask in reply "Oh, is it your day off from the nursing home?" but I was raised in the South and am incapable of being rude to older women.
I would have responded with, "Why, are you giving your husband one?"
Anyhoo, I've brought my grandkids to PetSmart to kill time. I call it the Poor Man's Zoo.
I can totally understand how that would urk you off. You spend everyday caring for your children, yet people assume you're only around part time. Thanks for being a Great Dad.
Oh yes, Happy Monday. :D
Gracious, I'm glad I stumbled into your blog tonight. My husband's been our stay-at-home the last nine years, and it has irked us both when he's admired in the grocery store for "babysitting."
Or, um, just being a parent.
I hate stereotypes as much as you seem to.
Oh, that would have driven me crazy, too. I always find it interesting the assumptions people make without any information about your life at all.
It's still not the norm for dad to stay home with the kids, but hey, you're carving out the path for other dads to do it, and eventually it'll be just as common to see the dad caring for the kids as the mom. I don't care who does it, as long as the kids get taken care of. Too many neglected children in this world.
Dude, I just noticed on your profile that you live in Roseville. I used to live in Roseville. I miss it badly. Will you tell the Galleria I said, "Hello." Thanks. *wipes tears*
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