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Why become a househusband? -

Making the decision to become a househusband has some immediate advantages for a man previously tied to a desk job, for example. First off,  there's no more need to commute to the office every morning.

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No more working late at home -

What about those late evenings spent struggling to finish business reports for the corporate meeting the following day? Well, the light goes out on that particular responsibility.

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Ditch the job you hate -

And there'll be no more whining about how you hate your job and the pressure it incurs.

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No more dealing with office politics -

Becoming a househusband means you get to leave behind all the stress related to an office job, or that of many other occupations for that matter.

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What exactly is a househusband? -

A househusband is a man who manages the household as his main occupation while his spouse or partner earns the family income. Well, almost.

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Working from home -

Being a househusband doesn't necessarily mean giving up a job. With technological advancements and numerous remote working opportunities, many men—dads among them—earn a living from home.

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Stay-at-home dad -

Traditionally speaking, however, househusband is a term used to define a father who is the main caregiver of the kids and a family manager, a stay-at-home dad if you like.

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Advantages of being a househusband -

So, what are the advantages of being a househusband? Well, spending more time with the children is an obvious plus.

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Taking up a senior position -

If you're not a dad, being around for elderly family members is the next best thing.

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Promoting the parenting process -

A dad who spends his time at home is more involved in the parenting process. Being there for them will encourage kids to develop essential cognitive skills.

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Help with homework -

Being there for your kids means helping with their homework. And you never know, you might end up learning something yourself!

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Bedtime book -

With your wife or spouse likely exhausted after work, it may fall to you to offer up the children a bedtime story. This is a wonderfully conducive way to end the day, and relaxes all concerned.

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Excluding paid help -

A househusband does away with the need to maintain paid help services, if indeed this is what the family previously relied on. Likewise, a lot of money can be saved by excluding the reliance on child day care centers or a nanny.

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Household chores -

Keeping the house clean and tidy is beneficial to both parties. When she comes home after a busy day at work, your wife will appreciate a spotless abode and the fact that the kids are fed and happy.

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Cooking for the family -

Opting to take on household duties extends to preparing home cooked meals for the family.

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Family chef -

In fact, being a househusband can turn even the most inexperienced cook into a culinary expert.

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Managing the weekly shop -

Feeding a family nutritiously and within budget will hone any man's home economics skills.

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Learn to balance the books -

Managing household finances is usually a shared responsibility. But taking on househusband duties often means balancing the books at home alone. This is an important obligation in that it gives you a clear idea of your savings when calculating household expenditure.

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Reward yourself with some R&R -

Buy hey, it's not all about work. Remember: your time is your own, so allow yourself periods of rest and relaxation. Follow up on a hobby, gardening for example.

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DIY -

For some, being a househusband affords the opportunity to catch up with home maintenance. In fact, the more you can do-it-yourself, the less money you'll spend.

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Maintain a healthy lifestyle -

Alternatively, let off some steam by getting out and about. Jogging is a great way to rebalance body and soul. It keeps you fit and healthy, and is far more rewarding than sitting in an office chair for eight hours a day.

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Timing the school run -

If you have kids, time your weekday schedule around the school run. Dropping the kids off and meeting them later is all part of the bonding process.

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The drawbacks of role reversal -

What are the potential drawbacks of this role reversal? Well, after opting for this lifestyle, there's a danger of becoming resentful of your spouse's career.

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The successful woman -

This is especially so if your wife or partner is successful in their position, and you know that you're financially dependent on them.

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Envy and acrimony -

A feeling of envy and jealously may develop between you and your other half if she's a popular member of her peer group and enjoys a lively social life with work colleagues.

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Masculine identity -

In this scenario, there's a danger of becoming bored with the household routine. And if you have a fragile ego and morale is low, you may feel your masculine identity is at risk. The situation could even begin to impact your relationship.

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A learning process -

It may be that you both have to rethink the entire strategy. But get this: taking care of the house and kids will teach you things about yourself. It will challenge your patience and motivation, and check your empathy levels.

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Keeping a roof over your head -

Society may not receive a househusband the way it should—don't expect too much respect for the sacrifices you've made. But ultimately, it's about keeping a roof over your family.

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Respect for one another -

And when all is said and done, the appreciation you most deserve will come from that very same family.

Sources: (Time) (Harvard Business Review) (Institute for Family Studies) (Glamour)

See also: How to get fit as a family (with kids of any age)

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