Just as Charles neared the toy-cluttered living room
About to plop onto the plush couch
About to watch the Chicago Bears vs. Green Bay Packers game he was dying to see
About to finally get the relaxation he had been deprived all day
He hears BAM!
“DADDY!”

Before another second passes
Charles bolts up the stairs
Dodging toys sprawled all over the floor
Leaping over the baby gates at the bottom
And top of the stairs
Finally entering his Nicole and Joey’s room
Where his 5-year-old daughter
Who is supposed to be napping
Is staring anxiously at her brother
He shouts, “What happened?”

Nicole points to her brother’s crib
Where little Joey is pointing at the ground
Tears welling up in his eyes
Charles peers down to see his son’s toy fire truck
Laying broken on the ground

Apparently instead of napping
Little Joey was playing with his toy fire truck,
Rolling it along the edge of his crib
And suddenly lost his grip

According to a 2008 estimate, there are approximately 140,000 stay-at-home fathers in the U.S. who are the primary caretakers for their children while their wives work outside the home.

Its moments like these that Charles
Regrets being lazy and not trying in high school
Regrets not going to college
Regrets not getting a job
And envies the working life of his wife Susan.