OnlineBookClub.org

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Dad@Home: Fully Domesticated" by Gregory J. Tysowski.]

Being a stay-at-home dad seems like a daunting task to many dads. According to a Pew Research Center analysis of 2014 U.S. Census Bureau data, 16% of American households have a father staying home to take care of children and household duties. But almost a quarter of them are doing it only because they cannot find a job. These statistics quoted in the book, Dad@Home: Fully Domesticated by Gregory J. Tysowski, were eye-opening and grew my curiosity in trying to understand why Tysowski made the major decision to be a stay-at-home dad and let his wife be the bread-winner, even though he had a successful career.

From soup to nuts, Gregory J. Tysowski covers the whole experience of being a stay-at-home dad, the highs, the lows and everything in between. This I think is the most outstanding thing about the book, Dad@Home: Fully Domesticated. Tysowski does not glamorize the whole experience but writes in a down to earth style that allowed me to have a glance at his life. In the book, he captures substantially the perception of people and the society at large towards stay-at-home dads and how he responds to it.

In many instances, he includes his experiences and sometimes those of others. Some are funny; others enlightening while others are down-right heart-warming. At one point, Gregory J. Tysowski recounts an instance where an elderly lady asked him whether he was filling in for mommy and he replied stating that this was his full-time job. The lady was so amazed and kept asking question after question finally asking him whether he was bored. These and many other accounts make the book’s message candid and appealing. I was fully engaged throughout the plot and I could not put the book down once I started reading it.

Gregory J. Tysowski’s sprinkles humorous moments throughout while balancing these with sobering statistics. Dad@Home: Fully Domesticated is close-packed but still exhaustive, comprehensible yet informative. The author’s tone is smooth and left me with a lot to think about and re-evaluate.

The relationship the author shares with his children is splendid and his wife’s sacrifice of bearing the financial burden of the family is noble. Dad@Home: Fully Domesticated is a book about love and doing the best you can for those that you love. At the end of it all, Gregory and Lianne did what they had to do for their children.

I would have loved to rate the book 4 stars but it needs another round of editing. Hence, I rate it 3 out of 4 stars.

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Dad@Home: Fully Domesticated
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It would be a fresh perspective to hear from a stay-at-home dad. I enjoy stories of family bonding, love, and sacrifice, so I’m pretty sure I would enjoy this one. It would be interesting to learn about the statistics shared as well. Thanks for a great review!

Thanks for the review. I'm sure it would be an interesting read.

I think destigmatizing work traditionally done by women is a huge step towards true gender equality, and I'm glad this book exists to promote it. Thanks for the thoughtful review!

I am curious about the role reversal that happens in the Tysowski household. The statistics will also be enlightening.

Personally, I wouldn't mind taking the role of provider while the man keeps house and attends to the kids. As long as he keeps the kitchen spotless, the bathroom fresh-smelling, the clothes stain-free, the furniture dusted, the ....

Isn’t it amazing that in this day and age that an at-home Dad still draws the attention of the public. I have to admit, myself included. When I’m in public and I see a Dad handling the kids without a mom, I often stop just to observe unnoticed just to see how he is doing. Quite the statistic about out of work fathers you stated. They probably are more exhausted working at home! I have to applaud any stay at home parent as I did it myself during the years my kids were young. Very good review. Makes me want to get a copy of this one.

My father became a single parent when my mom passed away. I was 5, my brother had just turned 14 and my sister was 17. He had a hard enough time with family helping him at home. I cannot imagine him being a stay-at-home parent with us.
Although in hind-sight, it may have been funny.

This sounds interesting and probably very useful for men who stay at home to look after the children, or are considering working from home and looking after the children.

I think there's absolutely nothing wrong with being a stay at home dad. It's commendable. As for not finding a job, unemployment may be low right now, but it's still really difficult to find a job. This sounds like a great book with a bit different perspective.

Thanks for your neat, succinct review. This one sounds like a heart-warming story, and is definitely a different view of life to the older/traditional "husband works, wife stays home with the kids". Pity the editing wasn't quite up to scratch.

As a stay-at-home mom, I appreciate books from the perspective of other stay-at-home parents, but I have yet to read one from the point of view of a Dad. I'm "shopping" for one from a man's perspective. Based on your review, this sounds both sobering and uplifting, so I'll be adding it to my "to read" list. Thanks for the review!