Working moms are modern-day superheroes, while dads feel a shift in their superhero ability. We aren’t complaining, but we do have tips for adjusting.

Being a stay-at-home dad was never part of my husband’s and my plan. However, life has a funny way of turning out differently than expected. During our transition to our new roles, we struggled for a while. We came to terms with our new roles as working moms and stay-at-home dads and began to adapt to them.

As a working mom, giving up some of my control over parenting and household chores was a challenge. But, with time and effort, I learned to let go and trust my husband to handle things his way. Here are some tips for adapting to the new roles that helped us transition.

Shifting Roles of the Working Mom

  1. Ease into the transition: Don’t make a sudden change. Start small by leaving the kids with your partner for a few hours while running errands. Trying this in small doses will give both of you a chance to get used to the new dynamic.
  2. Embrace different parenting styles: Let your partner parent uniquely while maintaining consistency with house rules and discipline. My husband and I load the dishwasher differently, but that’s okay. What’s important is that both of us are doing it.
  3. Learn new strategies: Observe and learn new techniques from your partner. My husband was better at ignoring our toddler’s whining, and I learned from him. This skill helped us reduce our stress levels and make our day-to-day tasks smoother.
  4. Communicate: Talk about the day, who last slept, ate, or used the bathroom. Communicating helps both of you stay on the same page and know what to expect.
  5. Show appreciation: Express your gratitude for the hard work your partner does. Caring for the kids, putting on band-aids, and playing with them is no small feat. Letting your partner know their efforts are appreciated will motivate them to do their best.

 

The journey to being a working mom and stay-at-home dad has been a challenging one, but it has also been rewarding. The key to success is trust and grace. Trust that your partner loves your kids as much as you do and that they will do their best to take care of them. Remember to show appreciation, communicate, and embrace different parenting styles. With these tips, you’ll find that the transition becomes smoother and more enjoyable.