YES.
Before anybody says anything, I am fully aware that being a stay-at-home dad counts as a job. I am definitely working every day, even if that work involves being with the cutest baby of all time every single day. He still can be a demanding boss - crabby and cranky for no apparent reason, switching your schedule without prior notice, etc. However, the stay-at home dad of today always gets asked the same few questions: What else do you do? How long do you plan on doing that? When do you get to return to the workforce? I don't know if the questions are as prevalent with the stay-at-home moms. Though we all know raising a child is all-consuming work, there seems to be an expectation that men still must win a little bread - bring home a little bacon - other food/money reference.
So, whether it is from innate peer pressure, ingrained gender stereotype, or just my own need to feel like I am contributing monetarily to our household, I have found some ways to bring home extra cash and that count as "employment" to others caught in the same stereotypes of yesteryear. I guess I have 4 jobs in addition to watching Sam, and they have been keeping me so much more busy than I could have anticipated. Those jobs are marketing for the Boston Choral Ensemble, cat sitting for several residences, babysitting twice a week, and managing a back bay property for a wealthy family. These jobs on top of caring for our baby Sam and our house have me absolutely straight out! It is fun juggling all of the competing priorities, but when you add my choir practices, living room musicals, and time with friends and with my wife...let's just say that I'm glad to have a Google calendar synced with Liz or else I would not know which end is up.
Well, Sam is screaming right now for me to not have this moment to myself, and I have rehearsal in an hour, so I best wrap it up. I will include one new picture now, but will update the photo section soon with a barrage of good ones.
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