The former life of a latchkey dad
September 24, 2009 by Shannon
You know, it occurred to me that AnchorMommy has been lacking coverage in one key area. While I keep the audience quite informed as to what Kellan and I are up to, there’s one person who doesn’t get featured much around here: Michael.
Michael is a former latchkey dad. Before our transformation from DINKs to DIOKs to SIOKs (okay, those acronyms got really weird, really fast) he would dutifully leave the house for the office every morning, work all day, pick up Kellan at daycare, and begin an evening as Kellan’s sole caretaker. It was a routine he had become quite familiar with as a latchkey husband, but there was certainly a lot more work involved once Kellan came on the scene. At one time, it really didn’t matter how long Michael stayed at the office, because I was at work anyway. (My shift was 1 p.m. to 10 p.m.) But when there’s a baby to feed, bathe, and put to bed, the freewheeling latchkey husband days go out the window.
That’s not to say that Michael didn’t take advantage of certain freedoms. Once Kellan started eating solids, there were more frequent restaurant stops on the way home from daycare. When I got wind of it, I started putting my slow cooker to work at least 2 times a week to try and entice my latchkey family away from the quick and easy alternative. (My thanks to both of them for not totally disowning me for the culinary failures the slow cooker sometimes produced.)
Now of course, Michael’s status has changed again. He is no longer a latchkey husband or father. He is Dad — and our sole provider. He’s the guy we can’t wait to see at the end of the day…the guy who keeps the paychecks coming in so Kellan and I can have the time together we both craved during the days of latchkey living.
I don’t think Michael misses his latchkey dad days, although he may long for the one-on-one cuddle time he had with Kellan every night at storytime. Now he has to share it with me.
Comments (3)
Sweet! sounds like you have a great hubby.
He was a great latchkey Dad, but I know he much prefers having his family around him. I was so proud of him, as a mother in law, for picking up the ball and running with it. He did it willingly. He’s an awesome Dad. Just as you are an awesome Mom, Shannon. I think Kellan was the better for it. Carol, Ron and I were so happy to help out when needed because we got special time with Kellan. It all worked out as it should and Kellan is a very happy little boy who loves his Mommy and Daddy and has a special relationship with his grandparents!! I’m really glad you have this time with Kellan now. It’s pretty special and it goes soooo quickly!
I’m sure he enjoys coming to home to both of you much more than his nights doing the single parent thing! However, whether he or Matt miss the “good ol’days” where they could hang out and do whatever while we worked late…well, I think that’s something they’ll never really fess up too!