Your New Career as a Stay-at-Home Dad

Receiving the news that you’re going to become a father is a moment to cherish. But if this isn’t your first time, you will know that nine months vanish within the blink of an eye – and you’ve suddenly run out of time to prepare for the day you welcome your little one.

But more men are leaving their businessman lifestyle behind to become stay-at-home parents. Here, we explore how you can adapt to the lifestyle that might be unfamiliar to you, revealing that the transformation might not be quite as stressful as you think.

Maintain your businessman style

For some, it can be the attire that you take pride in during your working days. But there’s no need to say goodbye to your finest clothing as you enter fatherhood.

Your wardrobe may be filled with the finest shirts and suits for the businessman look, and you can still incorporate this into your life – despite not being in the office. While you may want to don a comfortable choice during your days spent with your baby, you can always savour your smartest clothing for socialising. So don’t say goodbye to your beloved collection just yet; why not have a dinner date with your partner at home and dress in your favourite suit for the occasion? You may even discover some skills that you weren’t aware you had, such as cooking.

Incorporate errands into your day

If you’re a creature of habit, drastic changes to your routine can be difficult to deal with. If early mornings and late nights for your job are what you’re used to, however, this will remain a familiar part of your life as a parent.

As hectic as this can be, maintaining a routine is just as important as a parent as it is as a businessman. Have a schedule for your errands – shop for groceries at 10, finish the laundry by 12, or whatever it might be. Even scheduling in your lunch for the day will keep you in that routine that your body clock is used to, albeit for alternative reasons. Nevertheless, it will benefit you during your transition as well as keep you organised. Of course, expect any last-minute changes to your calendar, as newborns are unpredictable – but shuffling your schedule around isn’t anything out of the ordinary for a businessman.

Ensure you take regular walks

The arrival of your bundle of joy is an unforgettable moment to mark the start of your journey as a family, but it can be a stressful time for you and your partner. Fortunately, there are ways to ease the stress to assist you in your new ‘career’.

Your child’s sleeping pattern can determine your stress levels as a new parent. But studies have found that children sleep better outdoors, and this helps them to get a good night’s sleep as they have learnt to sleep on their own. This, in turn, helps you to recharge slightly without sacrificing your own sleeping pattern too much.

Life prior to parenting may have consisted of many trips to the gym. But your new job as a stay-at-home dad can still incorporate exercise into the day through a peaceful stroll with your little one in the pushchair, especially on a warm summer’s day. It’s a perfect time to unwind, and who’s to say you can’t look dashing doing so? Sport some of your best smart-casual clothing, and meet up with a friend to catch up on your new life as a parent.

While it may seem daunting at first, the transformation into a stay-at-home dad might not be as scary as it seems. In fact, there are plenty of exciting times ahead, and the experience of meeting your new child for the first time will be like no other.