Amazing Stay at Home Dads – Katy Texas - Dads who make raising the kids a priority

When Jason Cox made the decision to stay at home with his first child, he thought, “I need to just bow down and thank my mom! I had no idea how much work it would be.” Now he is a relaxed, organized, and fully enjoying his life as stay-at-home dad to 8 year old Andrew and 3 year old Madeleine. His wife Stephanie works long hours as a personnel director with a major oil company, as Jason embraces his role as the “go to guy” for his kids. Jason is in his element; prioritizing and organizing. He has scheduled days for cleaning or laundry. He organizes his kids’ outfits for the week, and has his grocery list on a spreadsheet. “To be able to do everything, it’s a lot of work.” Jason also does the housework, pool maintenance, and home repairs, but his favorite activities are with the kids, outdoors. He rides motorcycles with his son Andrew, and they have a great bond. “I like knowing that he can always talk to me,” says Jason. His relationship with Madeleine is heartwarming; together, they play tea party, dolls, or brush each other’s hair. “I have a lot of patience compared to most dads. We do different things…we’ll go in the garage and make something or we’ll make cookies or pizza in the kitchen.”

He is able to do these things because he is secure that he is doing the right thing for their family. “There can be a lack of respect from other dads,” explains Jason. “If you’re not secure with what you’re doing, your ego could get beat up pretty fast.” For now, Jason knows that he is exactly where he needs to be. “I’ve watched my children’s first steps, I’ve heard their first words. Not many people can do that nowadays. It’s a wonderful experience that comes with a big price. It’s a lot of work, but you know the outcome. I wouldn’t trade it for the world.”

Chris Basset
Teacher Turned Stay-at-Home Dad
Before his first child was born, Chris Basset was a Kindergarten and first grade teacher. “I’ve always wanted to be at home with my kids. I want to be the one to raise them.” Chris Bassett now works as a personal trainer early in the morning or late at night, but he is with his daughters all day, every day. His love for his girls drives him. Wife Sarah works in marketing at Halliburton, and while she is away, she knows daughters Zoë, 3, and Lilly, 18 months, have the best care. “He’s fun. He thinks of doing things that the kids love,” beams Sarah. “He even teaches me better ways to teach the girls their letters or colors.” His methods are working – young Zoë is already reading.

As a stay at home dad - he is secure with what he is doing and proud of his daughters’ accomplishments as a result of his teaching. “Just watching them grow up and play together is a reward to me,” explains Chris, but he does have other interests. He rides his Harley-Davidson motorcycle whenever he has a chance to hit the open road alone or with biker pals. He also plays golf every so often and works out at the gym. Chris plans to stay at home with his kids until all of them are in public school, and then hopes to return to teaching. “We are very close, and they are close to both of us. I don’t want to spend my day any other way other than to be with my girls,” explains Chris. As Zoë reads a short book, jumping up and down with excitement after each sentence, Chris’ pride cannot be masked. Moments like these are what he lives for. “I love that I helped her to learn how to read. I just love staying at home,” smiles Chris. “Sarah is a great cook and usually makes enough food for leftovers,” says Chris. So although he does not cook, he can heat leftovers or prepare lunches. He also cleans the house, does yard work, keeps the girls on a schedule, and finds time to spend alone time with each girl. They go to local parks, the Little Gym, Pump it Up, and he is even teaching them how to fish. Chris has gone so far as to try to join mom groups, but he soon found that they were geared to women’s needs. “It would be nice to have a dad’s group that could do activities together during the week,” he says. He tells people that he is

Nathan Ochsner
Two Special Years
When his third child was born with special needs, Nathan Ochsner knew that he would be the one to raise this child. Hope needed surgery within 24 hours of her birth to attach her stomach to her intestines, and Nathan has been with her every step of the way. Hope is two now, and Nathan has recently returned to work full time as a trainer with the US Courts. His was a temporary solution to a crisis situation, which worked well for his family. While home with his three kids, 6 year old Hayden, 4 year old Hyder, and 2 year old Hope, he most enjoyed the little things like flying kites, biking, or just playing with his kids outside. He said it opened his eyes, however, to the monotony of most home chores. “Every man should do this, at least for a while,” he explains. Nathan prepares food, buys groceries with kids in tow, does laundry, ironing and cleaning while his wife Erin works regular office hours at a Big Four accounting firm. Nathan has kept a rigorous schedule, working part time, selling one house, building another, and moving while staying home with his kids. He also managed to volunteer at Kilpatrick Elementary for lunch duty twice a week, and ran as part of his training for ultra marathons. His approach is to be organized and travel light, but he does not keep a regular schedule. The best part of staying home was “not having to worry about someone else taking care of them. I’m always there,” he explains. Hayden was sad when he found out his dad was going back to work full time. “I take that as a good sign,” smiles Nathan. “I feel very fortunate that I had a chance to stay home, and now I have a chance to go back to work. It was a two year period out of my life that most people don’t get to have,” says Nathan.

Stay-at-Home Dad Facts
In two-parent households, there are 189,000 children cared for by stay-at-home dads, compared to the 11 million children with stay-at-home moms. The number of children living with stay-at-home dads has risen 18% between 1994-2002. – U.S. Census Bureau’s Current Population Survey.

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