I help a friend who is a web designer for marketing e-mails. He designs the e-mails, and I do all the grunt work like changing out the product names and prices and other tedious details. I make about $75 a week doing that, which is enough to help our budget. People sign up for them, so I don't feel bad about the spam, either.

See an example here:
http://www.gabp.com/emails/autos/auto81/040108-50dollars.html

I also direct children's theatre.

I've heard other Dads who do online surveys and tutor.

The primary reason to work part-time should be to add income to the household budget, especially if your wife doesn't make that much.

Another good reason is to keep up an active work resume so you don't run into trouble if you decide to later re-enter the workforce. I do know that it is possible to return without having worked professionally in the interim, but I imagine it might be harder.

Beyond that, there is a pseudo-advantage that you are feeding your psychological and social need to be the provider, but it's important to recognize this urge for what it is - a bad thing.

Working can be good for your mental health for good reasons. It's mentally stimulating and a healthy diversion from parenting.

Important to distinguish the last two.

It's a dying fad here that I helped start. I might keep mine for a little longer because it looks so much like me, and I'm too lazy to change it. Once you go yellow...

I work part-time at home. Most of my work is done handling marketing for my wife's business. My background is in sales and the health field, and not marketing, so I am learning as I go. I also manage an online store we created.

Anyways, time for me is managed during naps, but I often can get things done when they are playing quietly on their own (as rarely as that is). I meet with people on days my wife is home (Usually once a week). So I am saying it can be done, you just have to be realistic in your goals and expectations.

Beware... working while home with the kids can cause more insanity at times. But if it is your passion you should be fine.

as Mr. Dad put it, can cause more insanity at times. And in my case, most of the time. Actually, burned out is more accurate, I think. lol

I've been AHD and continuing my business from home, working some evenings, late nights & saturdays for almost 3 years now. My wife just got a nice promotion/raise so I'm looking forward to scaling back or dropping work altogether. Can be even more productive with the kids that way.
As much as I would like to be able to do it all so to speak, it's gotten to the point where it just sucks.

So from my experience, my advise would be that if you don't have to work than by all means don't. Your thoughts and feelings about becoming & being a SAHD will change with time, most likely for the better (weather your working PT or not). I'm sure there are a lot of guys here that would back me on this. Plus there's the added bonus of being able to give your best for you kids/family.
And if you find it's not working out for you, you can always rearrange things and go back to work.

I've picked up a part time gig back at the ice rink I worked at before, and those few hours a week (14 hours over two shifts) do make a big difference for the "sanity issue". It's been nice being able to get out for a bit, do something I really enjoy doing, and make a few bucks for buying my hockey gear and what not. And this week, for the first time in 4 years, I went out and bought my wife a birthday gift that wasn't purchased with "her" money.

www.athomedadconvention.com

i have tended bar for local catering companies for many, many years.

it's brainless and pays well, gets me out of the house and around adults and up to recently was a way to keep my sanity.

but two weekends ago - at the eco-hippie wedding - people started breakdancing.

for real.

and then some girl did the worm.

sanity flew out the window then...

I have done many things to "maintain sanity" - started a local dad's group, taught college classes (have an MBA), sub teach at kids elementary school, volunteer bus driver for field trips (Catholic school), non-motorized pathway advocate, Recreation Authority Board Member, Nieghborhood Association President, school advisory council, lunch time supervision, and youth sports coach. All of these things take ALOT of time and allow me to interact with my children, their friends, friends parents, teachers and administrators, etc. Only 2 of the above list generate family income and it is nominal. My wife is a physician and we live well within our means so that has not been an issue for us. Leaving a career behind and raising my children has been the right move for our family, and after 13 years we can see the kids thriving (all A students, well liked, accomplished athletes and musicians, Eagle Scout path for Joe, Black Belt Taekwando for Julia, strong in their faith and picking good friends).

My advice would be to look for many opportunities to share your talents. You will find the elementary years will bring many opportunities for your involvement. Whenever possible, meet the spouces of the Mom's you will be interacting with so they know you are the "real deal" and not hitting on their wife. Be proud of what you (and all of us) are doing. Attending the national convention is one GREAT way to build your confidence and belief in the importance of what you are doing. It truly is a life changing experience.

Tim Hughes
Traverse City, MI

I teach in the evenings and am beginning to raise enough eggs and produce for the farmers' market. Sahd-ing makes me a better college teacher (better patience and explanatory skills). Growing food is a handy way to sneak education into our daily routine.