Why write a Blog?

 I would have gone back to work today as it is the first day back for teachers at my school. I thought of them all this morning and sent a tweet saying good luck and enjoy the year.

Knowing that they’re all going back to school and I’m staying at home made me think about why I’m writing this blog. Is it because I want to brag about not going to paid work? Is it because I want to be an over-sharer, like so many others in the modern world? Is it because I’m actually scared of the year ahead and spending all my time with an infant and not in the company of adults or older children, as I would do at work? Is it because I want to maybe put something together that will help Dads who are doing the same thing as me? Or is it because I think that spending a bit of time writing each week will help with keeping my mind stimulated?

I guess the answer is a bit of a combination of the last three questions I have written down. Yes – there is unquestionably a fear factor of the unknown for this year and what it holds. However, that is on a sliding scale of scared at one end and excited at the other (most of the time it is more excited – if I called today a scared day I’d say it’s still 70% excited and 30% scared). Have I read some other Daddy blogs and found them useful – yes. So could I contribute to this canon in a meaningful way? I would hope that I could.

In doing both of these things I am stimulating my mind because I am writing and editing (the teacher in me is still not happy with starting the last sentence in the previous paragraph with ‘So’) as well as reflecting upon the choices I am making in being a stay at home Dad. Having spoken to my wife and other people who have spent time off from paid work caring for children they have all talked about wanting to keep their mind stimulated with adult and work ideas. I guess, being a teacher, this blog is similar to work and therefor a great way for my mind to keep ticking over during the time I have off from my paid job.

To all the teachers out there who are heading back to work this week I wish you all the best. Am I jealous of what you’re all going to do this year – to a degree yes. However, I’m far more excited/scared to be a Slightly Mad Dad and spending time with my son.