Go to aqdd and/or E-Mail me at ScottHarbuck@ymail.com

I am a WAHD, and proud of it!

I can honestly say I've never been so happy at a job in all my life! And I've had some pretty awesome jobs! But being able to be my own boss, and a full time daddy at the same time...there's nothing that compares to the joy and fulfillment it gives me. Not only am I able to continue being the primary caretaker of my child, but I am also able to help contribute to the family income...there's just nothing that makes me happier!

I honestly never once considered doing it any other way. It means that much to me to be with my children. No matter what it takes. And also I realize, we are lucky in that we didn't have an enormous mortgage (just a small one) or other huge expenses to have to contend with that might make it impossible for me to not work outside the home. I am not trying to say that everyone can do what I do. Every person and situation is different and you have to decide what works best for your family. I'm just telling you my personal story. Take anything from it that might help you and leave the rest.

Why I Became a SAHD (Stay-At-Home-Dad)

I didn't want someone else raising my child. I've worked at truck driving and marketing. I've also been a manager and a business owner. I've cared for other people, A LOT. I know how work can keep parents away for very long days...and I've seen how it affects the children. One time I was talking to a former co-worker (and still dear friend) of mine about the kids in the school we meet each week (this was a very high quality preschool that mostly served middle to high income families due to the cost)...we both came to the same conclusion: the kids that we talked to teachers about, who had the biggest discipline problems, were almost always the kids who spent the most amount of hours in school or after care, not their parents'. Many of these children were with the school 9 and 10 hour days on a regular basis. I had conversations with some parents about how their day went...shared concerns and joys and tried to keep them feeling like they were a part of their wonderful kids lives somehow. But they weren't.

Now, as a parent myself...looking back on all this...I cannot even imagine what it is to be a parent working outside the home. Leaving my child in someone else's care for most of the day, most of the week, most of their childhood...For me personally, I could never do it. I know many people have to, (and many people choose to), but I always knew this would not be me.

But then there's the money problems...

My wife did not make much money. We qualified for some state-funded programs for middle to low income families actually, though we have not applied for them. (We both felt we are not that bad off, that there are people out there that need it more than us and so we would rather leave the money for them to use.) We struggled every month, and we have had to make sacrifices...because I knew after my daughter was born that there was no way I was going to ever leave her and return to work full time. Especially since what I did for a living involved driving long distances without being able to see my daughter for 2-3 months at a time. But as time went on, it became very clear that me being a SAHD was not enough. We had to go down to one car, and make some other changes and yet we still were juggling bills and getting those phone calls monthly asking where our payments were. Our family needed more income. So, of course, the next course of action was to look into how I could make money and still stay at home with my daughter.

The Search for the Perfect Home Biz-

I tried a few different things before actually starting my own business. I did some truck driving where I was able to bring my daughter with me...but wasn't able to make enough money that way. I also tried my hand at doing direct sales for an established company. Direct sales was NOT for me! I just am not a salesperson. I hated it. I need to do something I love. I love writing. And, I needed to do something I knew how to do and was good at. I have lots and lots of experience with writing. And I'm good at working with writers. The one thing in my life I feel really confident tooting my horn about! :) So I came up with an idea for a home business that worked out very well for me to bring in a little extra money that has helped our family immensely... I ran an online program in my home for a couple years. (Its no longer in operation). Long story as to how this came to be, but I definitely found my niche. I loved what I was doing, my daughter loved it and was a part of every bit of it, and we were getting a social internet life out of it as well! Families called our house once a week for 2 hours a week and I had a program of enriching dialog, developmentally appropriate activities, music and movement, and more, that kept us all busy and having fun! And I made money doing it! Right in my own home with my toddler by my side! How great is that?

I have since closed my doors to my daddy program, opened 2 other websites, started teaching my daughter, and had 2 more children (one of whom, sadly, died in her mothers womb). I am webdad now to not only this site (aqdd.ws), but also my 360 degree page and "A Penny Saved". All of which take a tremendous amount of time and energy and bring in little bits of money here and there. And all of which I LOVE doing!

Moral of the story?

I do what I love, where I'm needed, is what makes me different. AND...I believe anyone can work at home!! There's so many opportunities out there nowadays to work at home. The possibilities truly are endless. I will include information I write about what I've learned and resources I've gathered through my endless hours of online research within the world of working at home and home business opportunities...and I would bet that you can not find something that would work better for you or any family, if that's something you truly want and you put the work in. Because working at home and having a home business is not easy.

The Reality of Being a WAHD-

Just because I love it so much does not make it easy by any means! In fact, I really think working at home can often times be harder than working outside the home. There are endless distractions, you don't get time to yourself, there's more than just business work to do (don't forget about housework and the kids!) and very often you don't get the respect that people working outside the home get. So just because you love what you do does not make it any less "work." The difference is that you actually enjoy getting the work done! The days of me dreading getting up in the morning are over, baby!!

Coolest Regards,

Scott Harbuck.

aqdd