Should I be a Stay-At-Home Dad? By Mark Driscoll

I respect Mark Driscoll and value his teaching of the Word of God, but as a dad who takes my daughter to work with me each day (some days we work from home, some days we work from the church), I find this teaching difficult. I am not saying that it’s wrong or inconsistent with scripture, only that it’s difficult, and I don’t feel it’s an accurate assessment of what the majority of dads who care for their children do each and every day.

By caring for my daughter during the day, I feel that I am providing for my family. My wife and I both provide for our family financially, but because of the nature of my work, I am able to keep our daughter with me during the day, which prevents her from having to go to day care - something that I feel is a blessing.

Am I a traditional stay-at-home dad? I guess not. I do work, as a pastor and as a graduate student pursuing a doctorate in Education. Do I agree that my wife is better equipped to take care of our daughter? Yes, but as a dad I have an important role to play too, and I think I take good care of our daughter as well. Do I think it’s alright for my wife to have her own professional career? Yes. She’s a dentist in a community health clinic and she’s very good at what she does. And what about 1 Timothy 5:8, that “if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.” As I said, I feel that I do, together with my wife, provide for my family. I do provide for our family financially, I am the spiritual leader in my home, and my wife and I together make sure that our home is a Godly and healthy place for our daughter.

Maybe Mark Driscoll would disagree with my assessment, maybe you do too, but I do not see that the way my wife and I care for our daughter is unbiblical in any way. What do you think about this important issue? I would sure love to hear from you if you do disagree with me, or if you are a dad who cares for your children during during the day.

HT: The Resurgence