Know Your Cartoons: Let's face it - your child WILL watch TV, and that's all right as long as it's not too much and the quality is good - and appropriate for your child's age! Check your local TV listings on-line and do a little research into what shows are recommended for each age group.
Watch the shows with your child, at least until you are sure that the program is suitable.
Who know, you may learn to love Sponge Bob Square Pants! Playgroups: children need time with their peers in order to develop good social skills.
Taking them to the local park is a great place for them to meet other children their own age.
You might also benefit from meeting other parents.
See if any of them are interested in setting up a playgroup.
It really doesn't have to be much - just an hour or so each week so the children can get together and play and the parents can trade tips and tricks how how to deal with young children's issues.
Your child will quickly learn how to share and have fun in a playgroup setting.
They will have friends! Laundry: Yep, this one is important - but easy.
Just remember, one pile for all whites, one for pastels or light mixed colors, one for darks and if you have anything red - wash that separately.
Never, NEVER put something wool or cashmere in the washing machine! Basically, if you follow the garment tag washing instruction, you won't go wrong and you should pick this skill up rather quickly.
Discipline: Children learn best from their "mistakes" if there is immediate feedback.
When your child misbehaves, provide suitable punishment immediately if at all possible.
If you wait, your child will have forgotten what he did wrong in the first place and resentment will grow.
A two-year-old toddler will not understand "Just you wait until we get home".
To him or her that may mean a special treat and when you DO get home and mete out their punishment, they will not know what is going on, I promise you! Love: Don't be afraid to show your children that you love them.
Hugs and kisses are what young children understand ans know as love.
They don't know - or care - about the sacrifices you and your wife are making to be able to have you be a stay at home Dad.
(and they shouldn't) Let your children see your love for them and they grow because of it.
Language: Women are traditionally more verbal than men.
It's partly because of this that children learn their language skills so well.
The more Mom talks to her children during the day - the better the kids learn to talk.
Dads - learn how to talk to your children.
Don't always talk at their level, because then they are not learning new words and skills.
While I'm not saying to talk like the encyclopedia, I am saying to speak with them on a level they can understand - yet at the same time on a level that is constantly challenging them to improve their language skills.
A great way to help develop a child's language skills is to read to them on a daily basis.
Finances: Finances might be pretty tight for families with Stay at Home Dads (or Moms for that matter).
You might want to consider making some extra money via an on-line business.
Internet marketing is a great way to earn extra income while the children are napping or later in the evening when they are sleeping.
Having even just a little extra coming in every month might just be the way you can continue being a stay at home Dad indefinitely!