I need ideas!!

My DH is struggling with SAHD stuff, it's been 7 mos for him but he's had three at a time all that time. We're going to talk about what to do tonight. He wants to keep on as SAHD but please chuck us all the ideas you can for me to help him - thanks as always!

Fisrt of all, kudos to your DH for being a SAHD. He is doing amazingly well. At risk of being gender stereotypical here but I reckon it must be way harder for a guy to get to grips with being at home with kids 24/7.

Does he get involved with playgroups and the like? Maybe that would help him, get some adult time whilst also being with the girls. Also, Bec's suggestion of kindy is a great one. Allow him time with the littlies whilst Hannah is getting big kid time.

All the best with this - SAHD's rock!

Haha Pepsi!!

Becks I was thinking on that... there aren't big waiting lists for kindies in PN? I think there is a couple of months wait usually, isn't there?

He could also try playcentre, all ages from birth to school age (5-6 dependimg on when you wouls start them), other kids as well love having dads at playcentre. Also gets them all out of the house for a few hours in the morning.

Good on him for being a SAHD

Can he start doing some cool "outdoors" activities with them - I know its getting really cold now, but what about wrapping up really warm and heading out to Himitangi to collect driftwood, or things like that?

Its sounds like he is doing lots of stuff already - but am guessing its a bit tough being a bloke at the women dominated things (its hard enough as a chick going into some of these things!)

What about something like jumping beans (do they have that in Palmy?) - might be a bit expensive though, not sure. Swimming?

My brother is a SAHD, but he doesnt drive and they live semi-rural, so the only thing that they do on a regular basis is kindy (my nephew is 3), but he has had a really tough time, being so isolated. I try to go up once a week and pick them up and take them out, but some weeks its a bit hard.

 

wow they do do a lot.. i only take toby to playgroup once a week and just recently the library too.
maybe he needs to hang back a bit and just chill at home more?

I agree with MrsM, I'd take advantage of the 20 free hours, see if she can go in the mornings to either kindy or daycare.

I also agree with Peace, I think it would be great for him to have a break from the house cleaning/washing aspect of things at least one day a week.

Good luck on your decision making.

I was brought up by a SAHD, it rocked!

Dad used to take us on all his errands (he made work for himself by always buying cars that broke down ). We used to think it was awesome. I know it sounds harsh, but he treated it more like he was working from home and we were his little helpers. From an early age I knew all about cars (could bleed brakes when I was 10), learnt how to do architectural drawings with dad, spent time hunting and shooting, driving etc. He taught us awesome life skills. We also went to kindy every morning.

I think a good thing for not only dads but everyone to remember is that its OK to just do nothing, and just have a 'learning free' day. Kind of like learning through osmosis rather than doing specific learning activities or constantly being on the go.

We also used to do things like going to collect leaves (Dad would let us roam free for about 2 hours in the backyard while doing this) and then he'd spend maybe an hour making collages with us. 2 hours off - 1 hour on. Not bad!

Teresa Campbell St doesn't have a waiting list you could enrol her this week and she could start next week.

I'm with Emz on this one. My dad wasn't a SAHD as such, but we lived on a farm, and I was one of many, so my mum would send the older 2-3 off with my dad for the day. We always had a ball being dad's 'helpers' (I'm sure life was much easier for him on days we stayed home, but we didn't realise that at the time!).
So my suggestion would be for your DH to think of what he enjoys doing, and involve the girls in that. Guessing here, but what about going on walks, maybe a building project - even if its just a small piece of furniture? If he's having a good time, the girls will pick up on that and enjoy themselves too.
I thought RachandJack's suggestion of a night with the boys was a good one too. Is there something he can do for himself? Even maybe a uni paper or something?
I hope things get better for you all