Justin was a stay-at-home dad. That means he takes care of the kid and deals with the housework. His wife is the one who goes out and works. A couple years ago, Justin worked as a teacher. He loved his job. Then, his wife Terri got pregnant. At first, the couple both wanted to work and get a babysitter. Eventually, Justin thought it was best if he stayed at home and took care of their kid. He wasn’t getting that much money as a teacher. Also, he wanted to have control over how his kid was going to be raised.

Justin liked being a stay-at-home dad. He loved seeing his kid learn things from him. He wanted to make sure his kid grew up right. Justin made sure to read to his son, take him to open areas, and give him healthy food. The biggest problem with being a stay-at-home dad was the comments he got from his guy friends. They made fun of him for doing housework. At first, the comments bothered him, but they’re not a big deal anymore.

Justin does miss teaching though. He is waiting for the day he can teach at school again. He is planning to go back to the job after his kid turns 13 or so. He thinks that is a good time for his son to do his own thing.

Vocabulary Words

1. Stay-at-home – someone who stays home to take care of the family
   Example: Justin was a stay-at-home dad.
2. Housework – chores done around the house
   Example: He takes care of the kid and deals with the housework.
3. Pregnant – when a woman is going to have a baby
   Example: Justin’s wife Terri got pregnant.
4. Babysitter – a person paid to take care of children
   Example: They first wanted to get a babysitter.
5. Control – the power to decide or influence
   Example: Justin wanted control over how his kid was raised.
6. Raised – how a child is brought up
   Example: He wanted to decide how his kid was going to be raised.
7. Learn – to gain knowledge or skill
   Example: Justin loved seeing his kid learn things.
8. Healthy – good for the body
   Example: He gave his son healthy food.
9. Open areas – outdoor places with space
   Example: He took his son to open areas.
10. Problem – something difficult to deal with
    Example: The biggest problem was the comments from friends.
11. Comment – something someone says
    Example: His guy friends made comments about him.
12. Bother – to cause worry or upset
    Example: At first, the comments bothered him.
13. Deal – something handled or considered important
    Example: The comments are not a big deal anymore.
14. Teach – to help someone learn
    Example: Justin misses teaching.
15. Job – work you do to earn money
    Example: Justin had a job as a teacher.
16. Plan – to think about and arrange something for the future
    Example: He is planning to go back to teaching.
17. Couple – two people who are partners
    Example: The couple thought about working and hiring a babysitter.
18. Money – what you earn from work
    Example: Justin wasn’t making much money as a teacher.
19. Fun – something enjoyable
    Example: His friends made fun of him for housework.
20. Own – belonging to someone
    Example: His son will do his own thing when he is older.

Comprehension Questions

1. Who was Justin?
2. What does a stay-at-home dad do?
3. What job did Justin have before staying at home?
4. What happened when Terri got pregnant?
5. What did the couple first plan to do with their child?
6. Why did Justin decide to stay home instead of teaching?
7. What did Justin want control over?
8. What did Justin enjoy about being a stay-at-home dad?
9. What did he do to help his son grow up right?
10. What kind of food did Justin give his son?
11. Where did Justin take his son?
12. What problem did Justin face from his friends?
13. How did his friends make fun of him?
14. How did Justin feel at first about the comments?
15. How does Justin feel about the comments now?
16. What job does Justin miss?
17. When does Justin plan to go back to teaching?
18. Why does he think age 13 is a good time for his son?
19. How did Justin’s friends react to him doing housework?
20. What is the main idea of the story?