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From the Editor
Welcome to the first S.O.S.A.H.D. page of Full-Time Dads magazine. Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Maureeen McLoughlin and I am the S.O.S.A.H.D. of James F. X. McLoughlin, owner and publisher of this magazine. I have always enjoyed reading Full-Time Dads and often wondered why it didn't have a section for the spouses. Without us there wouldn't be any "FULL-TIME DADS".
How did I become a S.O.S.A.H.D. ? James and I had already decided that one of us was going to stay at home with our children. My daughter, 3 1/2 now, was born prematurely, we thought we had eleven more weeks before this decision had to be made. Her early arrival was par for the course in our lives, as we had already met, married and had our first child in eight months time. The decision was easily made as I was working for a small brokerage house as the Assistant Controller and my husband wasn't working steadily at the time.
My husband prefers to call himself "HOUSEDAD". He does the cooking, does the laundry, cleans, and takes excellent care of the children. When people ask me what my husband does for a living, I reply "he's a Housedad". They usually look at me funny and I explain to them that he stays at home to take care of the children, does laundry, cooks and whatever else comes up. With a funny look still on their face, they usually ask the exact same question and I reply with the exact same answer. I know some people find it hard to believe that a man could or would want to stay at home with his children full time.
When I come home from work, I choose to take over the role of primary care giver. We eat dinner together, do some shopping if necessary, play, read books or whatever is going on that evening. I give the kids their baths and they go to bed around 10 p.m. Late, I agree, but this way I get time with them in the evening and they sleep late the next morning. James really appreciates this, as he needs his coffee in the morning to get his day going.
To the best part of my workday, is when I return home from work and everyone greets me at the door, literally screaming, with big hugs and kisses.
Figuratively Speaking
My two kids, Meaghan, 3, and Shay, 18 mths., were sitting at the kitchen table playing with Play-Doh one night. Meaghan, said to me, "Mom, Shay is eating the Play-doh again." I replied "Meg don't just stand there and let him eat it!", to which she replied "Mom, I'm not standing, I'm sitting."
At a little over 2 years, while helping me with the laundry one day, I asked her to "shake a leg" as she was walking very slowly. She them proceeded to lift up her leg and shake it at me. A few months later, she was banging her hands on the stove (it was off) and I said to her "will you please use your head". Needless to say, she started banging her head on the stove.
Sometimes the simplest expressions we use as adults are taken literally by toddlers.
Why Don't You.
Keep a dryer sheet in your handbag. Rub it on your legs and static goes away. The scent is much nicer than the spray.
Hang onto those empty baby wipe boxes. They are great for storing small parts and toys.
Small inexpensive cookie cutters and miniature rolling pins make great accessories when playing with Play-doh.
Please send your letters, comments, and submissions to: Full-Time Dads Attn: S.O.S.A.H.D. Page 379 Clifton Avenue Clifton, NJ 07011-2642. Or send it via e-mail:FTDMag@fathersworld.com
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