Is Being a Stay-at-Home Dad Lonely? (Honest Answer)

Short answer: Yes.

Longer answer: Absolutely yes… sometimes.

See you tomorrow.

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Is staying at home with a child all day lonely?

The definition of loneliness is:
“The unhappiness that is felt by someone because they do not have any friends or do not have anyone to talk to.” – Collins Dictionary.

Now, I guess you could argue that I do have someone to talk to.

The unfortunate thing is one of them is a cat, and the other is a child who only responds if the conversation involves CBeebies or teddy bear cakes.

So yes… it can get lonely.

The funny thing is, when you’re busy, you don’t always notice it. There’s washing to do, snacks to prepare, toys to tidy, questions to answer. You don’t often get time to sit and think, which for me is probably a good thing — I have a talent for spiralling in my own thoughts.

I’m also someone who doesn’t have loads of social interaction anyway, so feeling a bit isolated is almost normal for me. But for others? I can imagine it being much harder. If you’re naturally social, or thrive off adult conversation, it’s something you should seriously think about before becoming a stay-at-home parent.

It’s in the name — stay at home.

Yes, there are groups, activity centres, social media communities and other parents in the same position. They absolutely help.

But ultimately, most days, it’s you, your child, a pile of jobs to do… and maybe a cat watching you.

I genuinely look forward to when my wife comes home from work. That adult conversation hits differently. I see my parents once or twice a week for a catch-up, and the odd friend gets a WhatsApp every month or so. (Growing up is wild, isn’t it?)

So, is being a stay-at-home dad — or mum — lonely?

Yes.

And don’t let social media convince you otherwise. It’s curated. It’s filtered. It’s not the full picture.

That doesn’t mean it isn’t worth it, the pros of this “job” wayyyyyy outweigh to cons, its just something that needs considering and understanding the emotions are normal.

If you’re feeling it — reach out. It’s more common than people admit.