Is the latest reality series from NBC, "Meet Mr. Mom" out of touch with reality?
NBC describes the show this way. "Each week, moms from two different families are surprised with a luxury vacation, while the dads are left to manage their chaotic households. The results are funny, heartwarming and something every busy family can relate to!"
"The show did not reflect MY state of fatherhood, but I think it did portray what the majority of moms would tell you their spouse is like," says Jim Morey, a father of four in Huntington Beach, Calif., in an interview with http://www.InteractiveDadMagazine.com.
But he says the fathers on the show clearly don't reflect the lives of all dads. And certainly not his.
"This was not a valid portrayal of what a challenge it is to be involved with your kids and help your wife around the house on a daily basis ?AFTER you get home from your job that pays the bills!" says Morey.
"Meet Mr. Mom", the new reality series from NBC, has two fathers taking on their wives' roles. In the premier episode Tuesday night, the moms were removed from the homes while the dads were left to fend for themselves.
Both dads were surprised at what it takes to do what their spouses do. And they seemed overwhelmed with the chores.
Morey, who's been married 14 years, says he's a very proud to say he's an actively involved dad, unlike the fathers spotlighted in the NBC show.
He's an Information Technology (IT) specialist. He says his employer is very family-friendly and allows him to work a schedule that enables him to be home by 2:30pm to spend quality time with his children. It also provides a break for his wife who stays at home.
"I have always tried to relieve my wife from the kids once I get home by getting the kids outdoors playing something with me," says Morey. Usually he plays softball.
His children range in age from 12 to 4. He enjoys being a dad so much, he used his computer skills to create a website www.notbadforadad.com just to share the joys of fatherhood with other dads.
AN AT-HOME DAD POINT OF VIEW
"Times have changed?unless you’re talking about the popular media’s portrayal of dads staying at home," says Stuart Ungar, from Louiseville, KY, founder of Louiseville At-Home Dads. He's concerned that people will see dads as less capable then moms, which will reflect poorly on at-home fathers.
"Most at-home dads are all for pointing out the contributions of moms and drawing attention to the importance of a parent staying home when possible. It just shouldn’t be at the expense of dads who have consciously made the choice to be stay-at-home parents," says Ungar, father of Aaron, 6 and Eden, 3.
"The problem is that many people tend to generalize that being at home with kids is naturally the mom’s job and that the dad is just a poor substitute," he adds. He says the network reality series, Meet Mr. Mom, does everything to reinforce that.
"Insulting name for a real silly show," says Ungar.
NBC'S TAKE
NBC acknowledges that before the show aired it received complaints from stay-at-home-dad groups concerned about how fathers were going to be portrayed.
The network today said it had not received any complaints since the program aired. NBC says the show gives everyone a better impression of at-home dads, because the show helps everyone appreciate the difficultly of being an at-home parent--no matter what the sex.
The network is proud of the show because it helps bring families closer together. And it gives both parents and the children a greater appreciation of one another.
LEARNING THE TOUGHEST WAY POSSIBLE
There were no cameras to chronicle what Jim Morey and his family experienced earlier this year. His wife's mother was diagnosed with cancer, and he found himself taking on an even greater role in the home. Because while she cared for her mom, he cared for the children.
"It was during those four months that I truly became aware of how much work it is EVERY day to keep the family wheels running smoothly," says Morey.
His mother-in-law lost her battle with cancer in April.
"I have always told my wife that even though I was the one with the “job?she works MUCH, MUCH harder than I do on a daily basis," says Morey. "The 4 months... only reinforced that fact in my mind."
"Meet Mr. Mom" is a 6-part reality show. It airs Tuesdays at 8:00pm ET on NBC.
Glenn Lawrence is editor of Interactive DAD Magazine, http://www.InteractiveDadMagazine.com, FREE, daily online magazine for fathers focusing on family and finance. Got a parenting or relationship question, ASK THE EXPERT psychiatrist FREE, http://www.InteractiveDadMagazine.com/asktheexpert.htm