Surviving hard economy in Michigan, more dads stay at home

Each morning, Paul Ikonen of Waterford bids his wife good-bye as she leaves for work at Mutual of Omaha in Novi.

He then turns his attention to his own job, where he answers to a boss who is both demanding and kissable.

"I love being with my son," Ikonen said of 15-month-old Isaac.

Ikonen -- a 29-year-old who lost his job as a church youth director in 2009 -- is a stay-at-home dad. And he has plenty of company.

The number of stay-at-home dads jumped 38% in three years, according to 2009 census estimates. The 2009 data suggest that there are 158,000 stay-at-home dads in the U.S. However, since the latest figures do not include fathers who work part-time or those looking for work, the number is likely higher.

via Surviving hard economy in Michigan, more dads stay at home | freep.com | Detroit Free Press.