Seriously, can we just stop?
Dads are entirely capable of parenting. Sure, if you’re a stay-at-home mom (SAHM), you spend more time with the kids, which means you probably know that one dislikes peanut butter and jelly while another can’t get enough of it, and the third leaves crusts like abandoned ships on the plate. But honestly, that’s just the sprinkle on the parenting cupcake. Your partner can absolutely handle parenting duties without your constant oversight.
He can dress the kids, brush their teeth, and get them out the door. Remember that viral photo of a dad doing his daughter’s hair? It’s only remarkable because someone snapped a pic. Dads do hair all the time—they wash it, style it, and yes, they master the shampoo-condition-detangle routine. Shocking, right?
And let’s not forget, he can make more than just cereal for dinner. Your husband can whip up sandwiches, scrambled eggs, pasta, and even a vegetable side dish. He can heat up meals you’ve already prepared, and when given a recipe, he’s just as capable in the kitchen as you are. Stop worrying that the kids will starve when you leave him in charge. His culinary skills are not limited to the grill; he can totally handle this.
When you leave him with the kids, it’s not babysitting. “Babysitting” implies that he rarely watches them and is somehow doing you a favor. It’s not a “Daddy Day” or “Mommy’s Spa Day”—that’s silly. He’s a parent, fully responsible for parenting his children in his own way. Referring to him as a babysitter is not only disrespectful, but it undermines your family dynamic.
Dads can also tackle traditionally “feminine” errands with kids in tow. For instance, taking the little ones grocery shopping doesn’t end in disaster. He doesn’t need strangers to come up and praise him for managing basic parenting tasks like pushing a cart with kids. It’s not extraordinary! Yet, somehow, when my husband does it, he’s treated like some kind of superhero. This really shouldn’t be a big deal.
I get it; he might not do things exactly your way. For instance, my husband often dresses our kids in mismatched outfits. He’ll put the 2T shirt on our toddler and the 3T on the 2-year-old. I used to complain about these mistakes until I realized he doesn’t sort the laundry—he works all day while I stay home. Wearing slightly ill-fitting clothes isn’t worth a meltdown. It’s something anyone but me might do. No one else knows that the red Star Wars shirt is meant for the baby, especially when it used to belong to the 4-year-old. And frankly, it doesn’t matter for everyone’s happiness anyway.
He may also discipline differently. His tolerance for screaming, wrestling, or messiness might be higher, leading to a home that looks like a tornado hit it when you return. You might freak out about the chaos, but he might not even notice it because he doesn’t sweat the small stuff. You’re the one who’s aware of the cleanup that awaits you.
And when the mess does occur, he can help tidy up after bedtimes. Sure, he might not know where the goggles go or that the Star Wars figures need to be separated from the dinosaurs. But if you think about it, those details really aren’t that important. Let him handle things his way without hovering over him. It’s not only rude, but it also makes him feel inadequate when he’s actually doing his part.
Dad isn’t the bumbling fool portrayed on TV. He’s a real parent with actual parenting skills who can manage cooking, cleaning, and running errands. He has as much invested in this parenting journey as you do, so it’s time to stop treating him like he’s clueless—because he’s not, and you deserve to have his support.
If you want to dive deeper into family and parenting dynamics, check out this excellent resource on intrauterine insemination, or explore Home Insemination Kit for more insights. For practical tools, visit BabyMaker.
In summary, dads can and do parent effectively. It’s time we recognize that and give them the credit they deserve.