Karl Betschwar is a Stay at Home Dad and is married to Lucy.
They have two sons, Leon and Alek, aged 8 and Elena aged 4.
They live in Eatons Hill, Brisbane.
Karl Betschwar
C4K: How long have you been a Stay At Home Dad?
KB: 13 months this time and 42 months the last time.
C4K: What were your motivations to take on the role as the primary carer?
KB: Last time, as we had twins, it was purely a financial decision, but this time it was to continue quality care with the kids and to ensure the least amount of disruption in their lives after being uprooted from the UK to live in Australia.
C4K: Do your children attend a formal child care at all or are they home with you throughout the week?
KB: My boys do two hours per week at a before school club and my daughter is at pre-school on a five day fortnight.
C4K: What sort of activities do you like to do with the kids?
KB: They have their swimming lessons each week; holiday time is the best for all of us as we like to visit museums, go to parks, take part in craft workshops and go fishing.
C4K: Do you feel stereotyped as a stay at home dad?
KB: Is there such a thing as a stereotypical stay at home dad? I don't feel stereotyped - pigeon-holed perhaps, as a bloke looking for an easy ride and using the kids as the excuse.
C4K: What are the misconceptions about a Stay at Home Dad?
KB: I can't speak for all stay at home dads, but in my case I don't just have the kids to take care of. I'm a househusband too and many women forget this fact. I'm not just a glorified babysitter: I cook, clean, wash, iron and do all of the other jobs taking care of the kids. I then have to do all the usual husband jobs on top e.g. mow the grass, empty bins, handyman jobs, and of course make it all look effortless! I am not a Mr Mum, I'm much more!
C4K: Do you think Dads get sufficient advice on parenting?
KB: No and I think many men are happy about that - it's easier to dismiss certain aspects of parenting as "women's work" and let them get on with it. If a Dad wants to be fully involved he can be; he just needs to be committed. I have known colleagues at work who have never changed a nappy, never had to deal with a vomiting toddler or could ever conceive doing these things as "the wife takes care of those things."
C4K: What are the main pleasures of being a stay at home dad and what are the pitfalls?
KB: The main pleasures are the obvious ones - continuity of care, seeing our children grow and improve, being there when they need you. The pitfalls are few (luckily) - as most Mums know when the working partner arrives home from work you can instantly become second most important person in the house and this can also be a blessing in disguise! On a more selfish note another pitfall is the death of my career - I was a Strategic Buyer for a multinational and now I am a grocery shopper and chief bottle washer but I am very happy!
C4K: What's your view on statutory paid paternity leave?
KB: As I spent some time in the UK I had two weeks paid paternity for each birth and it should be the norm here too.