Andre Duma is opening up about the emotional reality of being a stay-at-home dad, sharing how losing his own father and later becoming a parent influenced his decision to take on a full-time role caring for his children. During a conversation with his wife, Duma introduced himself as a stay-at-home father who also runs a small brand agency company. When asked why he decided to stay home with his children, he traced the decision partly to his own childhood. Duma said he grew up without his father after his father passed away and only began recognising the impact of that loss when he reached his late 20s. “Growing up without a father, I started realizing in my late 20s that it affected me,” Duma said. His journey into full-time parenting developed further after marriage and the birth of their baby. Duma said he could see that his wife wanted to return to work following maternity leave. After her five months of maternity leave ended, Duma said he took on the responsibility himself, becoming the parent who remained at home with their children. The conversation also offered a candid look at the pressures that can accompany full-time parenting. Asked whether he ever feels that being a stay-at-home father is simply too much, Duma did not hesitate. “Every day,” he responded. He admitted there are days when he questions why he continues doing it, but said those difficult emotions are accompanied by the excitement he feels when starting another day with his children. “When I wake up in the morning, I can’t wait to, like, go get them out of bed,” he said. Duma also explained that he has had to separate moments of frustration and exhaustion from how he views himself as a parent. He said feeling as though he does not want to continue at certain moments does not automatically mean he is failing his children. “It doesn’t mean that I’m not a good parent. It’s just feelings,” he said, adding that he talks about those emotions with his wife and works through them. The exchange ended on an affectionate note, with his wife thanking him for answering questions about life as a stay-at-home father and describing him as their “favorite stay-at-home dad.” The conversation offers a personal perspective on a role that Duma acknowledges can be demanding while also describing the connection with his children that keeps him committed to it.
