Craig Daily Press

Craig — Changing diapers and responding to the cries of his infant son Patrick recently became routine in James Neton’s life.

For a week, at least.

During that short timeframe, Neton decided to stay home for the second time while his wife, Melany, went back to work as a kindergarten teacher in Hayden.

Those weren’t the worst parts of the job. Instead, diaper duty and soothing a crying baby were his favorite aspects of being a stay-at-home father, he said.

“It’s a good experience,” he said. “I wouldn’t change it.”

Across the nation, fathers have made the choice to stay home with the kids instead of going to work.

In 2006, an estimated 159,000 fathers had left the workforce for a year or more to care for children while their wives went to work, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

In 2005, 2.9 million of America’s preschool students whose mothers worked had fathers caring for them during their mother’s working hours, according to the Census Bureau.

So far, Neton has been a stay-at-home father twice. His first round of full-time parenting came when his daughter, Megan, now nearly 3 years old, was born.

That first stint lasted six weeks.

“It was enjoyable,” he said. “It was a good time.”

But, the experience wasn’t enough to make him want to give up his job as a teacher.

“I enjoy my job,” said Neton, who now is a librarian at Moffat County High School. “I enjoy teaching.”

After six weeks at home, “I was ready to go back to work,” he said.

Neton believes childrearing is a task done best under the supervision of his other half.

“My wife has a maternal instinct and a level of patience I could never come close to,” he said.

Another local father, however, has taken on stay-at-home parenting for the long haul.

Kevin Morris left his job as a chemist a year and a half ago to stay with his two children, Miranda, 4, and Jesse, 2, while his wife took a local government position.

In Morris’ view, the choice was a matter of principal.

“I believe that one parent should stay home with children,” he said, “and my wife had an opportunity for a good job.”

Morris declined to disclose specific details of his wife’s occupation but said she remains “very involved” in the raising of their two children.

Like Neton, Morris found switching from a career to the cradle required some adjustments.

Before full-time fatherhood, Morris worked with a variety of startup companies in the bioanalytical field, he said.

Making the switch has been “relieving,” he said. “It’s a lot easier being home.”

Morris paused.

“At the same time, it’s a lot harder being home,” he said. “The demands are different.”

Now, his children’s needs come before his own, he said.

All the same, staying at home has perks — so much so that Morris prefers to stay home.

Morris had difficulties narrowing down his favorite aspect of being a stay-at-home father.

“There are so many,” he said.

Reduced stress ranked on his list.

In the end, however, spending time with his children was the primary bonus in his decision to stay home.

“I want to bond with my kids,” he said.

Bridget Manley can be reached at 875-1795 or bmanley@craigdailypress.com.