Hollywood's Stay-at-Home Dads
words JEMMA SAMALA GAFFORD

 

Traditional family gender roles are increasingly changing during these times of an economic downturn, with the number of stay-at-home dads tripling within the last 10 years. Hollywood isn’t immune to current societal changes, which Fox Reality Channel will showcase in their new series “House Husbands of Hollywood” premiering on August 15 at 9:00p.m. And although these LA dads never envisioned being their childrens’ primary caregivers, they’ve learned that they are part of an increasing number of men privileged enough to work at home.

 

GRANT REYNOLDS

Husband to Jillian, "Good Day LA" Co-host

Child: Ruby, 2

 

Deciding who should stay with Ruby was an easy choice for Grant and Jillian. They both wanted to participate in bringing up Ruby and they didn’t want a nanny or help around all the time. So as Grant explains, “It was just us — the three of us — a family. Jillian has been working the Good Day LA gig for what, 12 years now? That’s family too and a very conducive job for raising a kid I might add. It was the obvious choice for us. So off we went to raise our little girl…boy did I have another thing coming.”

What has happened? Grant has learned the simple trait of patience and he practices it every day “by trying not to interfere with Ruby’s natural progression, her instincts, her energy.” And as Ruby gets older he feels “curious to see what she wants out of life as she grows up. Will she like ponies or surfing or lacrosse?” Now, Grant is content with being Ruby’s biggest fan and being the audience for Ruby’s swimming sessions, which gets her nice and tired before going “night-night.”

Grant, a former Marine, learned from both his military background and his father to give a child structure, what he feels is a child’s best friend. And Grant adds that “Ruby is the biggest responsibility I’ve had to date — ever for that matter. I want to make sure of her well-being and diet and sleep. The early years are crucial in the upbringing of your child in my opinion and I want to be right there every step of the way, for as long as I can. I want her to know that I’m right there too, and I believe she does…that makes me feel good.” Grant realizes that “I’m EXACTLY where I’m supposed to be.”