Men embrace being home dads

SAM BAKER/The Manawatu Standard

DADDY DAYCARE: Daniel Gardiner is among an increasing number of men making a career out of childcare. Left, Bryn Pearson, 2, and son Blake Gardiner, 2.

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While women are busy breaking through corporate glass ceilings, increasing numbers of men are shattering childcare stereotypes.

Daniel Gardiner is a career dad. For eight years he's cared for his daughter, 8, and then his two sons, aged 4 and 2.

If that wasn't enough, last year he added two-year-old Bryn Pearson to his daycare, becoming Porse's only male in-home childcare educator in Manawatu.

Mr Gardiner said full-time dad was an easy career choice. He's more maternal than his wife, Shirley, and she earned enough as hospital operations manager to support the family.

His high school mates were shocked at first. "They just said, `Why the hell would you do that'?"

However, Mr Gardiner is part of a trend for male at-home carers.

Porse consultant Lisa Beatson said more were choosing childcare as a career option. "There are more men on the books than at any time in Porse's 15-year history."

Bryn's mum, Kelly O'Connor, said she had received mixed reactions about having a male caregiver. "Most people are really surprised but I think it's great.

"He gets out there and does everything with them – he gets dirty with them and gets really physical."

Bryn has transformed since Dan came on the scene five months ago.

"He's talking more and completely coming out of his shell. He gets one-on-one attention and they're out every day," she said. An only child, Bryn has also formed a brotherly relationship with Mr Gardiner's son, Blake.

Mr Gardiner dislikes the catch-phrase "manny". He prefers "home educator" because manny has female undertones that put blokes off considering childcare.

He's also quick to kick out the pedestal some women place him on.

"They put [home dads] at God's status. It's not what I want – I want to be normal."

Mr Gardiner is not just battling stereotypes, but overcoming his own. "I used to think [home child carers] were glorified housewives, but they actually educate children. It's opened my eyes."

He plans to gain an early childhood education qualification when his children start school. The female-dominated career has its challenges for males though.

Mr Gardiner, who loves sports, struggles discussing breastfeeding, shoe shopping, and husbands, with mums. "I definitely don't want to talk about shoes. That's the hardest thing, finding conversation."

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