98. A Stay-at-home Dad

Repeat Justin was a stay-at-home dad. That means he takes care of the kid and deals with the housework. His wife is the one who goes out and works. A couple years ago, Justin worked as a teacher. He loved his job.

Then, his wife Terri got pregnant. At first, the couple both wanted to work and get a babysitter. Eventually, Justin thought it was best if he stayed at home and took care of their kid. He wasn't getting that much money as a teacher.

 Also, he wanted to have control over how his kid was going to be raised. Justin liked being a stay-at-home dad. He loved seeing his kid learn things from him. He wanted to make sure his kid grew up right. 

Justin made sure to read to his son, take him to open areas, and give him healthy food. The biggest problem with being a stay-at-home dad was the comments he got from his guy friends. 

They made fun of him for doing housework. At first, the comments bothered him, but they're not a big deal anymore. Justin does miss teaching though. He is waiting for the day he can teach at school again. He is planning to go back to the job after his kid turns 13 or so. He thinks that is a good time for his son to do his own thing.

Vocabulary Words

                                                           

No.	Word	Definition	Example Sentence
1	stay-at-home dad	a father who remains at home to care for children and manage the household	Justin was a stay-at-home dad.
2	housework	the routine work of maintaining a house	He takes care of the kid and deals with the housework.
3	pregnant	having a child or young developing in the body	His wife Terri got pregnant.
4	babysitter	a person who looks after children while their parents are out	The couple initially wanted to get a babysitter.
5	eventually	in the end, especially after a long time or a series of difficulties	Eventually, Justin thought it was best if he stayed at home.
6	control	the power to influence or direct people's behavior or the course of events	He wanted to have control over how his kid was going to be raised.
7	raised	brought up and cared for from birth; educated	He wanted control over how his kid was going to be raised.
8	seeing	witnessing; observing	He loved seeing his kid learn things from him.
9	grew up	developed into an adult; matured	He wanted to make sure his kid grew up right.
10	healthy food	nourishing, beneficial food	Justin made sure to give him healthy food.
11	biggest problem	the most significant difficulty or issue	The biggest problem was the comments he got.
12	comments	verbal or written remarks expressing an opinion or reaction	The biggest problem was the comments he got from his guy friends.
13	made fun of	ridiculed or teased someone	They made fun of him for doing housework.
14	bothered	feeling troubled or worried about something	At first, the comments bothered him.
15	miss	to feel sadness or regret at the absence of someone or something	Justin does miss teaching though.
16	teaching	the process of instructing someone, especially in a school	He does miss teaching though.
17	planning	deciding on and preparing for a course of action	He is planning to go back to the job.
18	go back	to return to a previous job, situation, or state	He is planning to go back to the job after his kid turns 13.
19	good time	an appropriate or favorable moment or period	He thinks that is a good time for his son to do his own thing.
20	own thing	an individual's interests, activities, or business	He thinks that is a good time for his son to do his own thing.

Comprehension Questions

                                                   

Question	Answer
1. What is Justin's primary role in his household?	He is a stay-at-home dad, taking care of the kid and dealing with the housework.
2. Who is the primary earner in Justin's family?	His wife, Terri, is the one who goes out and works.
3. What was Justin's job a couple of years ago?	He worked as a teacher.
4. What event led Justin to consider changing his work situation?	His wife Terri got pregnant.
5. What was the couple's initial plan after the pregnancy?	They both wanted to continue working and hire a babysitter.
6. What were the two main reasons Justin decided to stay home?	He wasn't earning much money as a teacher, and he wanted control over how his kid was raised.
7. What does Justin love about being a stay-at-home dad?	He loves seeing his kid learn things from him.
8. What does Justin do to make sure his kid grows up right?	He reads to his son, takes him to open areas, and gives him healthy food.
9. What is the biggest problem Justin faces as a stay-at-home dad?	The negative comments he gets from his guy friends.
10. What did his guy friends make fun of him for?	For doing housework.
11. How does Justin feel about the negative comments now?	They are not a big deal anymore, although they bothered him at first.
12. Does Justin miss his previous job?	Yes, he does miss teaching.
13. When is Justin planning to go back to work?	He is planning to go back after his kid turns 13 or so.
14. What age does Justin think is a good time for his son to be more independent?	He thinks 13 or so is a good time for his son to do his own thing.
15. What is the name of Justin's wife?	Her name is Terri.
16. Where did Justin take his son to play outside?	He takes him to open areas.
17. Was Justin satisfied with the pay from his teaching job?	No, he wasn't getting that much money as a teacher.
18. What action does Justin take daily with his son for learning/bonding?	He reads to his son.
19. What kind of friends were making comments about his stay-at-home status?	His guy friends.
20. How did Justin feel about the change of roles (from worker to stay-at-home dad) in the end?	He liked being a stay-at-home dad.