My SAHD Experience
Starting tomorrow I will be taking five weeks off to spend time with my babies. Andrea returns to work and we didn’t want to put the twins in daycare prior to six months. So, here I am, totally psyched to start this experience.
As I write this the twins are in their bouncy seats. Swee’Pea is blabbering away with her fist stuffed halfway down her throat while TheMonk practices his new found ability to make a raspberry sound with his lips (I have no idea how he learned that. Really. No idea at all). I cannot believe how fortunate I will be to be able to spend so much quality time with them.
While imagining this experience for the past few weeks, I realize that I have it a lot easier than Andrea did. First, I don’t have to breast feed. I mean, I could try but I don’t think we’d be very productive (but don’t think Andrea hasn’t suggested it 
). Second, they are at a stage where milestones are being met left and right. They are both so close to rolling over that I’m certain we’ll see this in the near future. Third, since I’m only bottle feeding, I can take them places for longer periods of time. They really get stimulated by being around others so hopefully we can find time to take them to places like Starbucks the zoo.
Now, I realize I’m pretty naive about how this is going to go. I’m certain that I’m not going to go around all day eating bon bons (Note to self: order bon bons next time I order groceries) and kicking back while watching soaps all day long and I’ll be kept plenty busy with play time, feeding time, diaper changes, baby laundry and all the other stuff that comes with taking care of two babies at once. But they have to sleep some time, right? I’ll have time to sneak in a quick blog post about my experiences, won’t I? You bet I will.
So stay tuned while I get to experience this side of parenthood for the first time. I’m a Stay At Home Dad with twins for the next five weeks. To borrow a phrase from The Bean’s Dad, did anyone really think this was a good idea?
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“they have to sleep some time, right?” — but can you get them to sleep at the SAME time? And, do you care if they do?
Comment by KC — October 30, 2005 @ 1:44 pm
I think it is so awesome that you’re staying home with them like you are. It will be such a special time for you with your twins!
But, yeah, I agree with KC. I have never had TWO at the same time, but I’m wondering if you can get them to nap at the same time. Of course, those early months are really nice because they do sleep so much.
Thanks for the comment on my running on my blog. I am not doing the running program anymore (that post was sort of old), but I do try to run a few times a week if I can. I’d like to join that program again next spring though because it was really an incredible experience.
I’ll look forward to checking back and hearing about your experiences!
Comment by Crazy MomCat — October 30, 2005 @ 7:29 pm
Enjoy your five weeks at home…you’ll never regret doing it. I probably mentioned this before but I did the same thing when Clare’s Mom went back to work…it was one of the best decisions I ever made.
Comment by Clare's Dad — October 30, 2005 @ 8:15 pm
About the sleeping at the same time…
Andrea has done an incredible job in getting them to be on the same schedule. Since the very beginning we have always fed one at the same time as the other – even if we had to wake one up. As a result, we have established a routine where they get hungry at the same time and, for the most part, get sleepy at the same time.
So, yes, they do sleep at the same time. Lucky for me, huh?
Comment by Matthew — October 30, 2005 @ 8:51 pm
Good luck. A friend of mine planned to build a deck during the several weeks he took off for his son. Failed, big time.
If your ambition is anywhere below that you’ll be all right.
Sounds like Andrea is a smart woman, so if she thinks it’s a good idea…..
TBD
Comment by The Beans Dad — October 30, 2005 @ 9:52 pm
Good luck. It is the best job I have ever had, and it is also by far the hardest job I’ve ever done.
Comment by Sarah — October 31, 2005 @ 6:25 am
That’s great, Matthew. I’m envious that you get to spend 5 weeks alone at home with the twins. Wish I had the same opportunity. Though it’s not going to be easy, I wish it were possible for all fathers to experience this. I think it will be a valuable and memorable time that you’ll cherish forever.
Comment by MetroDad — October 31, 2005 @ 7:15 am
dude, you’re totally going to kick your wife’s boss’s butt in the big corporate picnic obstacle course race at the end of the five weeks, I know you will. just don’t let eating bonbons and watching soap operas turn you soft.
Comment by Dutch — October 31, 2005 @ 10:40 am
Dude. I’m SO excited for you. No, really. I’m not being sarcastic. This’ll be such a great bonding time AND you’ll really know first hand how much BLOODY WORK IT IS TO TAKE (GOOD) CARE OF CHILDREN. (Since your family reads this blog, I was courteous enough not to curse. No need to thank me.)
Have fun and keep those posts coming!!
Comment by MIM — October 31, 2005 @ 12:44 pm
How’s it going so far? I’ll check back after bed time, if I can just calculate CA time.
We survived our outing this morning, so we’re hitting the road on Wednesday too.
And Sarah’s right. This is the best job. And also the hardest.
Comment by Becky — October 31, 2005 @ 3:33 pm
Good luck! I’m sure you’ll do just fine. That blowing raspberry thing they do? I remember going to the pediatrician, and him asking me if my baby had “started bubbling yet”. Did you know it’s a developmental milestone? Playing with their spit and blowing bubbles is a “precursor to speech”. And here you just thought he was having fun!
Comment by Mary — October 31, 2005 @ 7:45 pm
One important thing to do is get yourself into some kind of routine. It can be daily. It can be weekly. Get out for a walk once a day if weather permits around the neighborhood or to a park. Go to the local library for story time. These are two good ways to meet other moms/dads.
Do a ‘grocery store’ outing. Do a ‘Tarjay’ outing another day. Quick errands. This way the kids can get out of the house to get some fresh air & you can talk to some adults during the day.
I really am glad to hear you’ll be doing the SAHD thing for a little while. It’s really wonderful when dads are able to do this. It’s a challenge. But it’ll be GREAT!
Comment by Grace — November 1, 2005 @ 12:07 pm
i need to know if i can use some pics for my project i love the website its awsome
Comment by destiny davidson — November 14, 2005 @ 12:11 pm