Any SAH Dis Dad's out there?

[burnsoc]

I've been on the Disboards for almost ten years and just now have found the dis dad's. Usually I hang out over on the DVC boards. I have been a SAH Dad for almost four years now to our three kids Ds(7),DD(4) and DD(2). I was an electrician for eighteen years and due to a work slow down and my wife having a stable job making more money we decided I'd be home with the kids. I feel very lucky, but it's often pretty lonely as I don't find many other Dad's in the same situation. I really don't enjoy hanging out with the Mom coffee clatch at my daughter's pre-school nor are they comfortable with me. So any other full time Dad's here? Maybe we can swap chili recipes.

 

[jason4024]

First off, welcome to the club. I am sure you will get your fill of man things to do around these parts. Unfortunately, I am not a SAH Dad, but we have discussed it a LOT. We spend a lot in day care/after school program, but the beneifts where my wife works stink and the free cable/internet/phone from my company is a nice perk also.

Feel free to poke around the club, and don't forget to leave the toilet seat UP!

 

[burnsoc]

My DW and I discussed it a lot too. Our health benefits were comparable, so that made it easier. The difference for our having child care vs. me working full time was about $300 a month. Not having to get our kids up early and over to someone's house that wasn't a family member, sealed it. I would however like your free cable/internet/phone. BTW, the toilet seat is always UP, I grew up in a family of 5 boys and 0 Girls.

 

[cj9200]

Single dad and work out of my home. DD is a Senior in high school so I don't have the workload that Dads with younger children do. Although the challenges are there with a teenager. Just different.

I do have to go out of the "office" and have adult conversation opportunities.

 

[SAHDad]

Yep. Been doing the SAHD gig for over 7 years now. It's a tough road sometimes - some of those "parents clubs" are really moms clubs, and any man who tries to join finds out otherwise.

 

[alanapapa]

Well, I am not really a SAH dad, but I have been since I was fired for something stupid at my last job. I hope to have a job soon.

Like CJ, my two DD's are older, one turning 18 in March, the other 13 in March. Unlike CJ's Pirate Princess, my elder will not be leaving for college (she decided she liked High School so much she wanted to go at least another half year).

As for recipes, even before I lost my job, I have been doing most of the cooking. How hot do you like your chili? I can PM you with my processes. I really don't have recipes for a lot of what I cook, I use what I have on hand and add stuff until I like the taste. Even when I loosely follow recipes I add and subtract as I feel the need.

 

[Singledad]

I am a single dad, who before that was a stay at home dad. I can't tell you how frustrated and out of place I felt (and still feel) at those play groups and such like that. I still am very frustrated when people are so surprised that a dad can be a single parent.

 

[cj9200]

You get use to it. We are a novelty at various parent (mostly moms) groups. I use humor to deal with it. That and I am proud to be a single dad. It isn't easy to be the primary (or in my case, only) caregiver to their kids.

 

[Singledad]

just gets on my nerves... what am I, some piece of moldy cheese? why do I end up with at least one person who has that look like they are about to cry to find out that no, I am a male out with my kid, alone. Not something that wins the nobel prize, as ladys do it all the time. Just like back when I was the stay at home daddy, why did everyone assume something must be wrong with me to be the one at home?

either way, how is everyone else tonight?

 

[alanapapa]

just gets on my nerves... what am I, some piece of moldy cheese? why do I end up with at least one person who has that look like they are about to cry to find out that no, I am a male out with my kid, alone. Not something that wins the nobel prize, as ladys do it all the time. Just like back when I was the stay at home daddy, why did everyone assume something must be wrong with me to be the one at home?

either way, how is everyone else tonight?

I for one am okay, other than sad that I do not have a Disney trip this week like we had hoped. We hope to get the tree up today. Went to see the new Sherlock Holmes movie yesterday and it is quite good.

 

[AirGoofy]

You get use to it. We are a novelty at various parent (mostly moms) groups. I use humor to deal with it. That and I am proud to be a single dad. It isn't easy to be the primary (or in my case, only) caregiver to their kids.

I am a single dad, who before that was a stay at home dad. I can't tell you how frustrated and out of place I felt (and still feel) at those play groups and such like that. I still am very frustrated when people are so surprised that a dad can be a single parent.

I'm a part-time SAH if that counts. I get about 2-3 months of travel within state spread out over the work year (1 week per month). The trade off is no OT, so all that paid travel time translates to time off. So, I am home with them now through Jan 4 when school returns.

When I've been out with them, I've been flirted with (yeah!) as well as the question of whether a dad can take care of daughters by himself.

I like chili. What was that recipe?

 

[alanapapa]

I like chili. What was that recipe?

Well, since you asked:
1 to 1 1/2 ground beef (I use 93% lean most of the time, but have used ground turkey also

1 to 2 cans 27 or 29 oz KIDNEY beans, drained, liquid reserved

1 can 28 oz petite diced tomatoes

1 can 14 oz stewed tomato with chili

red pepper and or cayenne pepper
garlic powder

1 medium onion diced

Bell peppers sliced (I use frozen pepper strips)

salt and pepper

salsa

1) Brown the meat, seasoning it with garlic, pepper, red pepper. If I remember in time, I will cook the onion in a bit of olive oil before adding the meat to the pan.
2) While meat is cooking, I dump the tomatoes and beans in a pot and add spices, if it looks too thick, I add some of the reserved liquids. Stir in pepper strips or pieces.

3) When meat is brown, drain and add to pot. Stir, taste and add salsa and or spices as needed/wanted. Let simmer for half hour or so.

Garnish with shredded cheese.

I normally add a spoonful or two of salsa to my bowl when eating.

Great if made in crock pot, family will comment all day how good it smells.

 

[AirGoofy]

Well, since you asked:
1 to 1 1/2 ground beef (I use 93% lean most of the time, but have used ground turkey also

1 to 2 cans 27 or 29 oz KIDNEY beans, drained, liquid reserved

1 can 28 oz petite diced tomatoes

1 can 14 oz stewed tomato with chili

red pepper and or cayenne pepper
garlic powder

1 medium onion diced

Bell peppers sliced (I use frozen pepper strips)

salt and pepper

salsa

1) Brown the meat, seasoning it with garlic, pepper, red pepper. If I remember in time, I will cook the onion in a bit of olive oil before adding the meat to the pan.
2) While meat is cooking, I dump the tomatoes and beans in a pot and add spices, if it looks too thick, I add some of the reserved liquids. Stir in pepper strips or pieces.

3) When meat is brown, drain and add to pot. Stir, taste and add salsa and or spices as needed/wanted. Let simmer for half hour or so.

Garnish with shredded cheese.

I normally add a spoonful or two of salsa to my bowl when eating.

Great if made in crock pot, family will comment all day how good it smells.

Sounds good. I've got one kid who likes chili with noodles and the other chili without noodles. I'm looking for good recipes they will eat.

 

[alanapapa]

Sounds good. I've got one kid who likes chili with noodles and the other chili without noodles. I'm looking for good recipes they will eat.

Please tell me that neither likes that stuff called Cincinnati Chili. The idea of putting cinnamon boggles my mind.

What other things do they like? I have a lot of recipes/food ideas in my head. I started cooking very young (I think I was 4 when I baked my first cake, but it did not come out good as it was from scratch not a mix).

 

[AirGoofy]

Please tell me that neither likes that stuff called Cincinnati Chili. The idea of putting cinnamon boggles my mind.

What other things do they like? I have a lot of recipes/food ideas in my head. I started cooking very young (I think I was 4 when I baked my first cake, but it did not come out good as it was from scratch not a mix).

No cinnamon. I agree that Cincinnati/ Skyline thin chili is not real chili. I used to make mine with fresh jalepenos, but there is no way anyone else will eat that here. My youngest is in that phase of not liking peanut butter, cheese, or butter right now. But, she likes peanuts, pizza, and garlic butter.

We are doing soups and sandwiches now (because it is cold) and have a good rotation of potato, tomato, and chicken noodle. Dumplins go over ok here (the ones with wompom biscuits). I really would like to get a taco recipe with beans. I have tried but can't find one.

 

[alanapapa]

No cinnamon. I agree that Cincinnati/ Skyline thin chili is not real chili. I used to make mine with fresh jalepenos, but there is no way anyone else will eat that here. My youngest is in that phase of not liking peanut butter, cheese, or butter right now. But, she likes peanuts, pizza, and garlic butter.

We are doing soups and sandwiches now (because it is cold) and have a good rotation of potato, tomato, and chicken noodle. Dumplins go over ok here (the ones with wompom biscuits). I really would like to get a taco recipe with beans. I have tried but can't find one.

I don't think I have ever seen or heard of tacos with beans. I am guessing you mean adding the beans to the meat mixture to give extra protein and fiber while lessening the food cost per serving. I would make the meat as normal and then add a can of black beans that has been rinsed and drained to it, taste to check spice level, and simmer to warm the beans. I will ask a buddy of mine who is a chef manager/foodie extrordiniare what he thinks.

I found what looks like a really good recipe for Enchilada Soup the other day online. It is a crock pot recipe so it cooks for 8 hours but looks veery simple.

 

[AirGoofy]

I don't think I have ever seen or heard of tacos with beans. I am guessing you mean adding the beans to the meat mixture to give extra protein and fiber while lessening the food cost per serving. I would make the meat as normal and then add a can of black beans that has been rinsed and drained to it, taste to check spice level, and simmer to warm the beans. I will ask a buddy of mine who is a chef manager/foodie extrordiniare what he thinks.

I found what looks like a really good recipe for Enchilada Soup the other day online. It is a crock pot recipe so it cooks for 8 hours but looks veery simple.

Yeah, that's what I mean. I've tried to add the bean whole, but it's either the taste, texture, or sight that makes them not want to eat them. Then, I've tried cooking and mashing the beans and add them, but no such luck. I try to beans and vegetables into mine anyway possible. My oldest has fallen for the Boca meatless Chik'n patties, but not the youngest. They get my fruit smoothies in the morning, school crap lunch, and then dinner is up to me.

 

[alanapapa]

Yeah, that's what I mean. I've tried to add the bean whole, but it's either the taste, texture, or sight that makes them not want to eat them. Then, I've tried cooking and mashing the beans and add them, but no such luck. I try to beans and vegetables into mine anyway possible. My oldest has fallen for the Boca meatless Chik'n patties, but not the youngest. They get my fruit smoothies in the morning, school crap lunch, and then dinner is up to me.

I would think if you had a very moist meat mixture (one with a lot of diced tomato or salsa) you could add the beans without effecting the way it looks too much. You are almost talking of a chili without any liquid being used for tacos or burritos.

 

[AirGoofy]

I would think if you had a very moist meat mixture (one with a lot of diced tomato or salsa) you could add the beans without effecting the way it looks too much. You are almost talking of a chili without any liquid being used for tacos or burritos.

They like ketchup, pizza sauce, but not tomatos. I take full credit for screwing up my kids, but I have no idea where this food preference stuff came from as I eat most everything.

 

[alanapapa]

What happened, did we scare everyone else away with our foodie talk?

Or is it the stress of the holiday limiting computer time?