Action 3 News - Omaha, Nebraska News, Weather, and Sports | Stay-at-Home Dads Take Action to Offer Support
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Omaha, NE--Every Friday, Robb and his 3 year old twins join Al and his daughter and son along with other fathers and youngsters for their standing playdate. Some days, it's a field trip; other times, it's just playing in someone's home.
It is not where Al Watts or Robb Tavill expected to be ten years ago. But as they've learned, life has a way of changing the best-laid plans.
"My wife and I were making roughly the same amount of money and what it came down to is, we decided when we were pregnant with our first one that one of us would stay home if possible," explains Al Watts. "She got promoted first, so I won, in a way."
That's how Watts ended up being a full-time dad to their four kids.
For Tavill, it was a no-brainer of a decision. He says his wife had a career, while he had a job. So in February of 2006, he became the primary caretaker of their kids and the CEO of their home.
"Either as she's walking in the door or 10 minutes after she comes in the door, we're all sitting down having dinner together and she thinks it's fantastic because it's something she doesn't have to stress out about," describes Tavill about one of the things his wife really enjoys about this arrangement.
Both men describe a choice that has been wonderful for their kids and a joy for them, but they admit they felt isolated because they didn't fit in at moms groups. Until they discovered the Lin Oma Dads Group. Made up of stay-at-home dads, they keep in touch with the message board and with planned activities, like the Friday play group.
"It was great because at least I knew there were other guys out here doing what I was doing, staying home and raising my kids," remembers Tavill.
Through this network, they've also learned they're growing in number. The U.S. Census Bureau estimates 140,000 dads don't work outside the home. But many dispute that number, because at the same time, 25% of kids are cared for by fathers whenever moms are at work.
Tavill and Watts certainly think their numbers are bigger, as women climb up the corporate ladder and as husbands get laid off and cannot find new jobs.
Most importantly they're trying to reach out to other fathers, to make sure they know they've got support and resources in their community. In fact, there's a national convention for stay-at-home dads that was just in Omaha and next year's will be here, too. Not only is it a chance for fathers to discuss childraising issues, the seminars also address topics like what are your career options after kids go to school or grow up.
Right now, Watts and Tavill are just juggling the daily demands of young children, knowing they're getting a rare opportunity to be so hands-on.
"Friends, relatives and just people that I meet, when they ask what I do, I say 'I'm daddy. I stay at home. They're jealous 'cause I have that luxury," shares Tavill.
Watts agrees that this time spent with his children is precious. "You can't trade that for anything." As he says that, his youngest daughter, Rachel, nestles in his arms, as if in full agreement.
Reported by Carol Wang, cwang@action3news.com
