SAHDism

a collection of thoughts by a Stay At Home Dad

“The Year of Living Sequeiralously”

What Happens in Vegas…

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…so my wife and I had a weekend jaunt to Las Vegas – our first weekend away from the kids in almost seven years (since our oldest was born).  While there, we went out for long walks, checking out shows, restaurants, etc.  At one point, we had a discussion about whether or not to hit a cocktail lounge or to just walk, talk, and explore.  We chose the latter, as it was so refreshing to just be together and joke around as we used to.

Then we came home.  The first night back, our kids were out of control – sleep-deprived and irritated that we tore them away from the treats, movies, late nights they enjoyed playing with Grandma, Auntie, and their cousins.  As the tantrums continued during the dinner-making process, I open a bottle of wine and my wife asks me to make her a Manhattan.  I had to chuckle thinking that for use, the one thing that happened in Vegas and stayed in Vegas was “temperance.”

Our First Weekend Away

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After almost seven years, my wife and I are having our first weekend away from the kids.  A couple of years ago we had a couple of opportunities to head out to a hotel and spa for a night but were back the next morning.  This time, we’re going to Vegas as my wife has a training class there so I’m just buying my ticket and we’re off.  The first time we did this was a couple of months before we got engaged and it was in Kauai.  It’s fun reflecting back nine years to that trip and everything that’s come into our lives since then.

My wife is feeling a little sad and missing the kids.  She’s also a little curious/concerned that I feel none of those things.  Then again, for me, it’s still to early to miss them.  It’s six a.m. on the morning after I dropped them off at my sister-in-law’s place and right now it just feels like the blissful quiet pre-dawn time that I enjoy before the daily chaos.  Perhaps around 9 a.m., when it’s still quiet, I’ll start to feel the emptiness.  Until then, I’ll just enjoy a quiet cup of coffee.

Things We Bought Before Having Kids

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As I pack the house to move across town, I started a mental list of things we bought before having kids:

  • dry-clean only dining chair seat cushions
  • crystal bar ware
  • white linens
  • glass-top tables
  • wine that costs more than $9.99 a bottle
  • delicate undergarments with multiple ties, clasps, etc. (my wife only, you smartypants!)
  • the Sunday paper
  • a cigar humidor

That’s all I found (for now).  What about you – do you have anything that you used to have front and center in your house and now is locked away or on a shelf for fear of it being destroyed by kids (or vice versa).

What I’ve Given Up

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As time passes since the day I gave up my career to be a Stay-at-Home Dad, it becomes clearer that I’ve given up so little in exchange for becoming so much more

My Wild Days Are Long Gone

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We took the kids berry picking  and picked 25 pounds of berries.  I took some of the berries to make raspberry syrup for homemade lemonade.  It was amusing to think that in a mere twenty years, I went from that crazy Muthafucka Stuart to Martha fucking Stewart.