For the first time in 8 years, I'm alone.

[Fuzz]

I'm a stay at home dad with two beautiful daughters. I am a huge bear of a man who looks like a deranged lumberjack, so the looks we get are funny to say the least, by I digress. :)

I just came back from dropping off my four year old from her first day of afternoon pre-school. When walking her to class I had the sudden realization that I was going to be alone. I knew I would be, but it just didn't hit me until then.

After my daughter came back for a second hug and kiss goodbye I said to one of the teachers, "This is the first time I'm going to be alone in a real long time." She told me to enjoy it, but I'm not sure how to do that exactly.

Weird, because they do drive me insane sometimes. :)

[wryter2000]

1. I'm jealous

Think of it as solitude. Ahhhh, sweet solitude. Get yourself a good book and enjoy.

[freetobegay]

2. You may be alone now

But just think of the reunion after school! :)

[tigereye]

3. yeah that is a pretty intense and weird feeling

hang in there, dad. :hi: It feels very strange at first, but you will get used to it. And they will be home before you know it. Go do something nice for yourself. :)

[Jo March]

4. My hubbie is also a stay at home dad

He is experiencing what you are. Our oldest just started kindergarten and the youngest just started pre-school three days a week.

He misses them but still managed to call me the first day that he was in the house alone and sing a happy little tune.

They can drive you insane, can't they? I admire anyone who can stay at home with their kids full time. I am a mom and I know that I couldn't. I'd go crazy.

:)

Enjoy your time alone. Dance around the house naked. ;)

[Fuzz]

10. Dance naked? Don't think the dog would even want to see that!!

:D

My wife would have trouble staying home with them all the time too. That fact and the fact that her job was/is more secure and payed better at the time helped us make the decision.

We decided we didn't want to have someone else watch our children. My mother in law even offered to get us a nanny early on, but I nixed that idea. They're our kids and our responsibility and kids just seem to do better with a parent around. We're doing ok financially, but we could be doing much better if I would work, even though much would go to child care, but I'd rather sacrifice a little salary then my kids.

That's just the way I see it anyway.

[Maple]

5. Hard to get used to isn't it?

But if it gets really difficult, you can always smear some jam in the carpet, leave the fridge door open, and annoy the hamster by spinning his wheel a few extra times. ;)

[Fuzz]

11. Or just scream and walk around like an elephant

throwing toys all over the damn house!

:)

[RUSTY SHACKLEFORD]

6. How do I get to be a "stay at home dad"?

My wife doesn't seem to want to go for it.

[YellowRubberDuckie]

7. Did you get her something special for the first day of school?

I always enjoyed that teddy bear my grandma got me the first day of every school year while I was in elementary school. She'll remember it forever.
Duckie

[Fuzz]

12. That's a neat idea

but no. New backpacks and school supplies and stuff. They were excited about that. They picked out the same shirt to wear today too so they could look like twins. :)

[redqueen]

8. Awwwwwww

That's so sweet!

From what I'm told, 'back to school' time gets enjoyable around the time they turn 12 or 13.

I don't enjoy missing my little ones... no, Sir.

[rbnyc]

9. I love stay at home dads!

Eventually, you'll be happy to have alone time again. But it's okay to miss your girls.

:loveya:

[TX-RAT]

13. Go lay on the couch and take a nap.

School lets out quicker than you think.

[Pithlet]

14. I'm a stay-at-home mom

They're both still too little for school though. I can't even imagine how weird that is going to feel when they're off to school. I haven't been by myself in 3 and a half years.

Enjoy your newfound freedom! :)

[GoddessOfGuinness]

15. Go for a walk

Enjoy the peace! You lucky guy! :D