Working mum is sick of stay-at-home dads being the punchline in 2025
Don't miss out on the headlines from Parenting. Followed categories will be added to My News.
When Sarah went back to work and her husband Mitch became the stay-at-home parent, she didn't expect to have to justify it as often as she does.
The Adelaide mum is met with sympathy, her husband with praise and both of them cop opinions that belong back in 1963.
She's sick of it.
Image: Supplied
RELATED: Yes, let's normalise baby showers for dads
"I couldn't do that"
Every day, Sarah clocks on, managing her mortgage broking business, while Mitch mans the fort as a stay-at-home dad to their two kids: Bowie, four, and Albi, six months.
'When people say, 'Oh, I couldn't do that.'... that is so hurtful as a mum,' Sarah told Kidspot.
The decision for Mitch to stay at home wasn't groundbreaking. It was practical.
'It was a natural progression. It just made sense for our family,' she said.
When Sarah fell pregnant with Albi, Mitch had been working part-time as a commercial carpenter. It allowed Sarah to launch her business which quickly skyrocketed to success.
'When I fell pregnant, it was just sort of like, okay, we'll make the decision that I'll go back to work and you'll stay home. It just worked,' she explained
'We don't ever get praised for mundane mum life"
But their decision made one thing painfully clear: the gender role reversal wasn't as accepted as they'd hoped.
The jokes rolled in, the criticism came thick and fast, and the compliments always had a sting in their tail.
'My husband gets sort of the butt of the jokes from his mates. You know, you have to ask Sarah 'are you allowed to go out today?'' she explained.
Want to join the family? Sign up to our Kidspot newsletter for more stories like this.
Sarah says what they're doing works for them and that should be enough.
'It doesn't need an explanation. Mitch is a great dad. Full stop. That's a full sentence.'
But Mitch also receives praise for doing the bare minimum. Tasks most mothers complete daily without recognition.
'The amount of people that praise him for doing mundane tasks is unbelievable,' she said.
'We don't ever get praised for mundane mum life.'
When it came to daily life, the 'mum default' was everywhere. Image: Supplied
RELATED: Dad's poem warms hearts: 'I'm a tank in a tiara'
"All of his mates are at work"
Even the weekly routine felt gendered, with most daytime activities clearly geared towards mums.
'We've noticed that there is actually really nothing for men or male stay-at-home parents to do during the week that aren't female-based is one of the things we've noticed,' Sarah said.
'He is bored s***less because all of his mates are at work.'
And while Sarah might be the one bringing home the income, that doesn't mean her maternal responsibilities disappear.
She still carries the invisible every other mum does. The maternal nature is still strong.
''I still am constantly thinking, do we have nappies? Do we have wipes? When's our next doctor's appointment? Have I booked Bowie in for X, Y, and Z? When does dance start? Does Auskick start?' she shared.
For Sarah, it all comes back to showing her kids that there's no one way to be a family and no shame in choosing a path that works.
'We're just a normal working-class family,' Sarah added.
'Maybe one day, this will just be normal and no one will talk about it because it's just business as usual.'
Originally published as Working mum is sick of stay-at-home dads being the punchline in 2025
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
ABC News
2 hours ago
- ABC News
Feeding time
And finally, as we edge towards a late supper some important culinary news. NICK HOSE: Chicken lovers were in a flap today thanks to a very generous giveaway. A takeaway giant celebrating its Portuguese heritage by offering up to 10,000 free hot chickens … - 7NEWS Border, 10 June 2025 A free bachelor's handbag! Seven News in Albury-Wodonga dispatched the cavalry, as they should, tout suite! DANIEL HERRERO: The crowd flocked into Lavington's Oporto store today. PERSON: I'm here for what everyone else is, you know, the free chicken, I suppose. PERSON: Free chicken day apparently, yeah. - 7NEWS Border, 10 June 2025 It wasn't merely a free chicken day, no! It was a celebration of the 16th Century's naval superpower! DANIEL HERRERO: O'Porto celebrating its Portuguese heritage on the country's national day, Dia de Portugal … - 7NEWS Border, 10 June 2025 The crew at Nine News' Gold Coast bureau brought us more of this most compelling of celebrations: EVA MILIC: Enough to feed a whole family and the best part is, it is free … - 9News Gold Coast, 9 June 2025 Woodward and Bernstein, eat your heart out. With this flame-grilled goodness and cluckin' good giveaway spreading like salmonella from Shepparton in central Victoria to Perth where readers, sorry customers, were urged to get a wriggle on, and even to the nation's capital: "This is about more than just chicken," Canberra Oporto franchise owner … said. By Staff Reporters - The Canberra Times, 6 June 2025 What, no one wanted to put their name on this tour de force? Oh, and sweet-tooths, despair not, because before 'chicken day' there was also 'donut day': Celebrate National Donut Day with FREE cinni donuts thanks to Donut King Get them while they're hot. - 7NEWS (online), 5 June 2025 Hmm hmm! also saw the story's very obvious news value bringing us a National Donut Day dream getaway: Donut King collaborates with Ovolo Sydney for National Donut Day 'Hot Cinni Hotel' experience … for those who prefer their getaways on the sweet side - 23 May 2025 A resplendent pink hue bringing a touch of real class to one clever Sydney hotel which was as our correspondent faithfully reported: … taking inspiration from the famous donut in everything from the pink walls and themed pop art to the plush decor … Each room features a cinnamon donut diffuser … - 23 May 2025 Clears the sinus. But why stop there!? Turns out there are a very great number of national food days to be mined for more sparkling copy and quality programming: MONIQUE WRIGHT: … so today for world pizza day we're celebrating with the culinary classic and learning how to make pizza like an Italian chef … - Sunrise, Network Seven, 9 Feb 2025 There's also World Nutella Day on February 5, which had the scribes all a lather in Ol' Blighty. In fact, the calendar is littered with plenty of cheap excuses for plenty of cheap journalism. From a celebration of real bread, whatever that is, to meatballs, to the holiest day of the year, beer and pizza day. Now, we're all partial to a little soft serve because kittens will always need rescuing from trees and local neighbourhood heroes who pick up litter of their volition will always deserve their moment in the spotlight. But are things really so dire that we're packaging up free ads for deep fried dough and overcooked chook? Because the problem with a race to the bottom is that's where you end up.
News.com.au
2 hours ago
- News.com.au
Chris Bowen flags greater government intervention in energy markets with Gas Market Review
Labor will consider forcing gas companies to redirect future supplies into the domestic market instead of selling to international markets, with Energy Minister Chris Bowen launching a review into Australia's gas market. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission warned on Monday Australia's east coast gas supply outlook has further deteriorated, with risks of a shortfall beginning from the fourth quarter of 2025 and into 2026 set to increase if 'Queensland LNG producers export all uncontracted gas'. This is because southern states like NSW, Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania will need to 'continually rely on gas from Queensland as their local reserves deplete,' the ACCC's interim Gas Inquiry report, published on Monday, warned. The ACCC says tipped 'structural shortfalls' on the east coast will continue from 2028 unless new gas supplies are brought online. The government's Gas Market Review will look at how regulations can be improved to ensure affordable and adequate domestic gas supply, with Mr Bowen flagging the importance of gas as a firming power, alongside renewable energy, which will make up 82 per cent of Australia's grid. However, he said existing commercial contracts with international partners will be protected. Australia is one of the world's largest liquid natural gas exporters with export earnings reaching a record $92.8bn in 2023. 'One thing we won't contemplate is ripping up existing contracts, creating sovereign risk, engaging in behaviours which will see Australia (considered) as an unreliable supply. 'We won't be doing that, but what we will be looking at is sensible, forward looking, prospective means to ensure that Australians get access to their gas.' While Mr Bowen wouldn't be drawn on whether this would mean ramping up gas supplies, or creating an East Coast Gas Reserve, he said it was a 'reasonable request' to ensure 'Australian users get access to Australian gas'. The review will also look at consolidating the Australian Domestic Gas Security Mechanism, Gas Market Code and Heads of Agreement with major east coast gas exporters to 'holistically' ensure policy can support the 'efficient supply of gas to industrial users, domestic users, and to the energy system'. Separately, Mr Bowen also commented on Adelaide's bid to host climate conference Cop31 in 2026, with negotiations at a standstill due as Turkey also pitches for the rights. The McMahon MP said while the bidding issue 'has not yet been resolved,' Australia had the support of the Western Europe Group. He also declined to give an estimated cost for the event, but said there would be 'revenue opportunities' through sponsorship and attendance fees. 'This is a remarkable opportunity for Australia. It's the world's largest trades fair,' he said. 'It gives us an opportunity to talk to the world about Australia's capacity to help them decarbonise. 'It's a remarkable opportunity for the Pacific (to) put their issues on the table. If and when we're successful, of course, we'll have more to say about costs.'
News.com.au
3 hours ago
- News.com.au
‘Dying in silence': Closing restaurant shares sad ‘wake-up call'
A beloved Sydney Italian restaurant – which was once booked out 'every weekend'- is set to close its doors, with its owner sharing a 'wake-up call' to Aussies as small businesses are left 'dying in silence'. Zafferano Trattoria Mediterranea, owned by Sicilian-born chef Simone Crivello and partner Isobel Galloway, has been serving up authentic Sicilian food in Paddington, in Sydney's inner-east, for over five years. But amid the cost of living crisis and climbing rents, the popular restaurant has made the difficult decision to close in August, highlighting the struggles the Sydney hospitality industry faces in a poignant video message on social media. 'Sydney, what happened to you? This used to be one of the most vibrant cities in the world,' Ms Galloway said in a video on the restaurant's Instagram page, which was not intended as a 'pity post' but rather a 'wake-up call'. 'Our restaurant was once full, bookings every night, laughter echoing through the walls, and food made with soul. Now, we're lucky if a few tables fill.' Ms Galloway acknowledged Zafferano is not the only restaurant struggling, claiming Australia is grappling with a recession. 'Small businesses are dying in silence while rent climbs, costs soar, and politicians pretend everything is fine.' 'We're in a recession, whether they wanna say it or not. People can't afford to go out. Families are struggling, somehow the government still acts like this is just a phase, but it's not. It's the reality they helped create,' she claimed. 'The economy is tanking, and the people who built this city – the chefs, the creatives, the small business owners – we're the ones paying the price.' Ms Galloway said her restaurant is having to shut not because it 'failed, but because the system did'. 'Before we go – ask yourself this. Where are you spending your money? Who are you choosing to support? And what kind of city do you want to live in?' she continued. 'Without small businesses, culture dies, community dies, and all that's left is soulless chains and boarded-up shop fronts. This isn't just a goodbye, it's a wake-up call,' she concluded. The restaurant further called on Sydneysiders to choose local and support Sydney it said has 'been left to crumble'. 'If we don't fight for what matters … there won't be anything left to fight for,' it captioned the post. Many Aussies praised Ms Galloway for highlighting the struggles many businesses continue to face. 'This makes me so sad,' one person wrote. '100% agree, we have been in a recession for about two years now,' another wrote. 'Finally someone being honest and transparent about what's really going on! Small business needs support and some tax breaks to help keep the culture alive!,' said another. Speaking to The Daily Telegraph, Ms Galloway said she and her husband, who welcomed a child in February, said they made the decision to not renew their lease after spending the last 18 months enduring the cost-of-living ciris as well as increased rent and wages. 'The past two years have been notoriously tough for hospitality,' she said. 'It's been a really tricky time and all venues have had to deal with it. But being tiny and family run, it's taken toll on us. Ms Galloway added they 'would have happily stayed in business for next 20 years but we can't afford to'. Looking to the future, the couple said they will be releasing a cookbook and plan to host food tours and open a B&B in Sicily. They will shut their doors at the end of August. NSW cafe braces for latest financial hit Zafferano isn't alone in feeling the crunch. Three Flamingos Espresso, a beloved cafe in Albion Park, near Wollongong, has been struggling with sharp increases to the cost of insurance, electricity, produce and stock – all of which has seen its profit margin shrink to a razor-thin five per cent. Owner Brad Pettitt told earlier this month he was bracing for the latest financial hit after the Fair Work Commission announced a 3.5 per cent hike to the minimum wage starting on July 1. 'Our staff work really hard and they absolutely should be rewarded, but in the context of all these other huge cost increases, it's really difficult to cope,' Mr Pettitt said. 'In the past two years, our electricity costs are up 40 per cent, gas 20 per cent, insurance and worker's comp both 10 per cent, coffee recently went up 15 per cent, bacon is up 10 per cent, and eggs, of course, the big one, is 44 per cent. 'The wage increase is modest for a few employees, but we have a staff of 24 so it all adds up to a big additional expense.' Millions of workers will see their hour rate lift to $24.95, a total of $948 per week based on 38 hours worked, up from $24.10 per hour and $915.90 per week. The Australian Industry Group estimated that the increase will see the national wages bill rise by $5 billion over the coming financial year. 'We're doing everything we can to diversify our income streams because we can't rely on day to day trade,' Mr Pettitt said. 'It's just not viable anymore.' He concedes an increase in menu prices is now inevitable. Industry groups say the larger-than-anticipated minimum wage increase will hurt vulnerable businesses, especially those in hospitality, and consumers will ultimately pay.
