You would expect a stay-at-home-parent's job to be easy. After all, there's no stress of juggling a demanding career, no worry of bringing home a paycheque, no office politics, no guilt, only the joy of parenthood. Right?
Well, only if that were true!
Being a stay-at-home-parent brings with it a unique set of challenges; and a majority of them stem from losing one's own identity. Unfortunately, not many parents open up about it.
However, Korean-American actor Nathan Li Cheng Xuan is changing the norm and talking about the topic that is often thought of as taboo.
During an interview, the 36-year-old–who is married to Chinese singer Stephy Qi Wei Li Cheng Xuan–admitted that he fell into depression as he was out of work for a year and a stay-at-home-dad (SAHD) to his now 6-year-old daughter, Lucky.
Li Cheng Xuan Was Ashamed Of Being SAHD
The actor admitted that he felt ashamed of being a stay-at-home dad (SAHD), and confessed that he "once harboured such thoughts.”
He further added that he grew up in a traditional family where men are expected to be the breadwinners.
But that as a SAHD he felt a lot of pressure because he didn't have a job for a year and was just looking after his daughter.
Li Cheng Xuan considered consulting a psychiatrist
As a dad, he wanted the best for his daughter. "I wanted Lucky to learn few things but realised I was being too harsh on her when she failed to meet my expectation," he added.
Li Cheng Xuan realised that there was growing friction between him and his daughter because he was "too emotional" and would often regret raising his voice almost immediately.
Losing yourself: Stay at home dads might also find it challenging to maintain a separate identity. Having too many chores to tick off from your list will often leave you exhausted to pursue something just for yourself.
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