QUESTION:
I want to run for office someday, but I want to be a stay-at-home dad right now because my wife and I have 2 young children. She's a physician, so she's bringing home a lot more money than me. I graduated the GSPM a few years back. Do you think it is possible for me to stay home now and then run for office in about 10 or 12 years when my children are older?
ANSWER:
Yours is a refreshing question. Yes, of course I think it is possible for you to run for office some day and for you to be a stay-at-home dad right now. There have been many women who have stayed at home while their children were young and then went on to run for office. Now that we're in the 21st century - we'll see a lot more men in your situation who may be staying home now, but want to run for office in the future. So, if I were you, I would advise you to take a page fromthe women's playbook. That is, look at ways some of these women were able to become increasingly visible in their communities. What did they do? They served on the PTAs of their children's schools; they put candidates signs in their yards; they volunteered to work the polls on election day. There are so many things you can do beyond those ideas. You might coach your kids' soccer teams; volunteer in church; tutor the underprivileged, etc. I am sure you get the idea. Themain thing is to not stay holed up in your house, but to get out there and to meet people.The more people you meet and help - the more who are going to remember you when it comes time for you to run. I'm sure you learned many valuable skills at the GSPMthat you can put to good use while you're planning your future. Good luck to you!