Transitioning from firefighter to stay-at-home dad presents unique challenges. A former station commander finds his leadership skills essential for household management. Responsibilities such as packed lunches and laundry can feel overwhelming, akin to emergencies faced in the fire service. To cope, he employs strategies from his firefighting experience, prioritizing difficult tasks early to reduce stress. This approach minimizes the dread associated with chores, allowing for a calmer environment. The realization occurs that not all emergencies equate to the same level of chaos encountered on the job.
While I'd always done my share at home, my family knew that now I had 'nothing else to do,' which meant I was now asked to do a lot more.
It felt like being deployed into a burning building without a hose. It may sound strange, but at home, I fell back on many of the same tools I'd relied on in the fire service.
On shift, we tackled the toughest or riskiest task right away. Waiting made it harder. Now at home, I empty the dishwasher, take the trash out, and start laundry before my first coffee.
Not every emergency is a five-alarm fire.
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