I Chose To Be A Stay-At-Home Dad So My Wife Could Pursue Her Career

Jaidev Khemani chose to be a stay at home dad to look after his daughters while his wife was working full-time as a doctor. He resumed work recently. Looking back, he calls his stint as a stay-at-home dad as the best time of his life. He also broke parenting stereotypes by supporting his wife. Here's his story.

"My wife and I welcomed our first daughter in 2014 and the second one 15 months later. My wife was the principal doctor in her organisation and had to step out to work. She was finding it a bit difficult to juggle between her professional and personal life. I didn't want her to sacrifice her career which she had so passionately built over time. That's when I stepped in, convinced my wife and decided to become a stay at home dad for a few years to be with them. I took up some flexible jobs that allowed me to earn while looking after them.

From waking them up in the morning, ironing their uniforms to preparing breakfast for them, from dropping them off to school to putting them to sleep in the afternoon, I loved each and every moment I was spending with them. I became popular with their school teachers and other moms as well. Taking them out in the park in the evening, and seeing them play and have fun would make my day. I even started doing things I thought I could never do. For instance, I began helping my girls with their craftwork. I thought I was terrible with it but learnt it with time.

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The path wasn't all roses. It was difficult to explain to some of my family members and neighbours why I was at home most of the time. They thought that we didn't represent a conventional family system. "Parenting is a joint effort. It is my choice to work from home", I would tell them. After some time, I grew thick-skinned and didn't pay much attention to anyone.

I recently took up a full-time job after being a stay at home dad for about seven years. When I look back, I realise that I absolutely cherish the time I spent with them. Seeing your kids grow up in front of your own eyes is blissful. We share a very strong bond. I still try to spend as much time as possible with them whenever I can because I have learnt that parenting is all about doing what's best for your family"

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