I've changed my tune a bit...

I used to have a very...uhhh...plain view of motherhood. I saw the traditional role of woman as limiting and empty. I didn't think a woman should be "banished" to her house. I thought that she should be out in the workforce...doing truly "productive" things.

Having been a stay-at-home dad for almost 7 months now.... I really appreciate the growth (both personally and familial) that can take place. My patience has greatly increased. My desire for productivity has increased. I have learned about how much I am capable of getting done. I have learned about how important it is to have someone there for our child.

I respect the role of mother a lot more. I still resent the idea that housework is woman's work. I have taken it upon myself to be the house cleaner. "Conformity" can tell you the gruesome details. I can thank my Grandpa McDermott and my mother for the skills...and the obsessive urges.

I also resent any person who does banish their wife to the house. I happen to think that a woman's agency is just as important as a man's. If she wants to work...let her do it. Lets be evenly yoked. (I say this pointing the finger at myself....I am guilty of this.) I relaly struggle sometimes taking an equal share in the rearing of Syd. I hate dirty diapers more than I could adequately express here. I HATE THEM. Its not so much the gross nature of the thing (I am going to be a doctor for crying out loud) as much as the drudgery. Again...kudos to the traditional woman who shoulders that burden.

I guess I am just trying to stay off the couch watching the movies and the sports events. I am trying to keep a keen eye on what is going on with Trish and the little rascal. I just love these two girls and I want to help out as much as I can. I fall HOPELESSLY short in so many areas. I am not as patient as I need to be. I don't volunteer like I should to help out. I fall victim to the stereotypes too. "Trish...why don't YOU change her...you're the....woman." Bad line of thinking.

So I suppose the goal would be to respect the stereotype enough to defeat it? There's a mind twister...