Being Mister Mom

Written on 12:49 PM by Robert

If you're married and you both work, it is understandable that the responsibilities around the house would be shared 50-50 (at least it is around here). When one of you loses your job, then then person looking for work becomes the person with more responsibilities at home than the person still working. It just seems to be common sense, doesn't it?

I lost my job on October 25, 2008. I saw it coming for months. I had desk cleaned out (for the most part) and my future plans laid out. I thought it would be relatively easy for me to find a new job - I'm in the IT field with 14 years of experience. How hard could it be? If I had any problems, I would just get a consulting job. 15 years ago, I went through a few consulting and temp agencies without even trying. Now with this economic disaster this country is facing, the game isn't the same as it used to be. I'll probably elaborate more on that in my next blog.

So now it's over 4 months later. I'm the King of my castle - and it's driving me up the wall. Here is my typical day:

I wake up around 6:30am, take a shower, wake up the kids, then make breakfast for the kids while my wife heads for work. I take the kids to school and come back home. I spend a few hours online checking out the emails, the job sites, and other tips CNN gives me to follow up on online. Before I know it, its time for lunch. I have something to eat, clean up the house a little, get some online learning done, and then it's time to pick the kids up from school. I make the kids something to eat, then continue doing some housework until my wife gets home. Two days a week I have school at night, so I drop my kids off at my mother-in-law's apartment downstairs and then head to school. On those school nights, I get home around 10pm - just enough time to catch up on my favorite TV shows and get to bed, to do it over again the next day. On nights I don't have class, I'm doing homework until its time for the kids to get to bed.

I look forward to those days when I have dentist appointments, a job fair, an employment workshop, an interview -- anything that will make my day a little different than the last. I know all of my kids' teachers, the parent coordinator in school, the crossing guards (lol), some parents. I also know in great detail which cabinet doors are creaking, what home projects need to be done, and how to separate the colors from the whites. I'm not saying I don't like taking care of the kids or the house, but I miss working!

I know I'm not alone out there. There are tons of Mr. Moms out there right now. CNN told me so. lol Let me know if you know what I'm talking about! Give me an example of your typical day at home!

Posted in housework,unemployment