Name: Kev Brett
Age: 33
Family Members: Me, the wife, Monkey (son 3.5), Mouse (daughter 1.5)
How long have you been a stay at home Daddy for?
I have been a stay at home daddy on and off for the last 4 years. I say on
and off because in the first couple of years I was trying to start up my own
video production company. However, circumstances and lack of passion for the
job (never ideal when trying to go it alone!) meant that the only real
option was for my wife to go back to work and for me to look after my son
full time. When our second bundle arrived, we were blessed enough to be able
to have maternity leave for the full 12 months before my wife returned to
work.
What was your previous occupation and how did you find the transition from
that job to caring full time for an infant?
When my son was born, I was a partner in a graphics company. Enabling me to
work from home. This was great as I was able to help out quite alot. When I
set up on my own I think my priorities had changed and so it was a fairly
painless process for me.
Did you plan on being a househusband prior to having your children?
We had always said and hoped that my business would pay me enough for my
wife to be able to give up work and be the main day to day carer. This was
how we always saw it, so no, not planned.
How has your life changed since you made the transition?
Life has changed dramatically in so many ways. For one, my time is no longer
my own and my priorities are now my kids and wife, instead of work and
business. It allows me to see the growth of my kids and to be focused on
them.
How do you fit in with other parents and have you found it easy to build up
a network?
There are some male orientated groups, however, it can be a little
intimidating attending groups where there are majority mums and female
carers. I wouldn’t say I have a network and can still occasionally feel a
little isolated, but that can be down to me as much as anything else.
Have you at any point considered going back to work?
We considered my going back to work a couple of times, mainly when the wife
was on maternity, however, the money she makes was always more than I could
make just starting out again. I’m just now beginning to focus on starting a
new career in illustration and produce a bi-weekly webcomic about my kids,
entitled, The Monkey and the Mouse (http://themonkeyandthemouse.com) as well
as having my main blog http://kevbrett.wordpress.com
How have you found the facilities for fathers when you are out and about?
There are some groups that cater for fathers at the local Children’s Centres
and Surestarts. The facilities at our local one are fantastic. My one
disappointment with it is that from week to week there could be just me and
my daughter, which usually means the worker going off to do “more important”
work, leaving us alone...
How have your arrangements affected your relationship with your
wife/partner?
I think it is hard for her to see her kids growing so fast, especially when
it was always the plan for her stay at home and for me to go out to work,
but in terms of “our” relationship, I don’t really see a change, especially
because this is how it’s always been.
What are your plans for the future?
I hope to start running an illustration business, but seriously only when my
son is in full time school and my daughter attends nursery. It has to be
right time for the family and especially for the children.
What has been the best highlight for you over the last few years?
Too many things to pick just the one (cop out I know), but just getting the
opportunity to see my kids grow and develop has been awesome!
