From drop-offs and pickups to doctor’s visits and dinner prep, these things often fall on Mom’s shoulders. 

However, it’s always fun to see a change up in roles when Dad steers the ship at home.

November is National Veterans and Military Families Month. Spectrum News caught up with a United States Navy veteran who is testing the waters as a stay-at-home dad.

For Jarred and Melyssa Posada, most of their time revolves around their eight-year-old daughter, Annabelle.

“She’s what keeps me going,” said Jarred.

Until recently, Jarred wasn’t the primary parent at home. He was a Supply Corps Officer in the United States Navy and retired after 30 years.

“There’s too much stuff to even try and mention where I’ve been and what I’ve done, but I wouldn’t have changed any of it,” he said.

He retired at 48 and now he’s a stay-at-home dad.

“I’ve got four daughters, and this is the youngest and being active duty all that time, I didn’t have a lot of time to spend at home. So actually having all the time to spend at home now and taking care of her and everything, I couldn’t ask for anything better. Just seeing her grow up is awesome,” Jarred said.

Like in so many military families, Melyssa also made sacrifices. 

“We had our daughter, and it was important to us that one of us was home with her and, of course, it was going to be me. He was active duty. So for the first five years, I was the stay at-home parent. I worked in fitness for about 20 years and just kind of let that all go,” she said.

Now, she gets to dedicate time and energy to her goals and make them a priority.

“I earned a 500 hours Pilates certificate, teaching certificate, so I’m really focusing on that,” she said.

While she builds her client base, Jarred keeps things running at home.

“If it’s not doing dishes, cleaning rooms, doing laundry, it’s getting her to school, getting her back from school, going to school meetings that kind of stuff. It’s constant,” Jarred said.

While this is a little different from sailing the world, Jarred still runs a tight ship.

“It’s a similar thing, just as busy, but definitely a different perspective,” he said.

“I think it’s really wonderful. I think it’s going to be some really high expectations for her later on for sure,” Melyssa said.

Jarred makes sure he pays attention to the little things, like making sure Annabelle’s bag is packed and ready for gymnastics class several times a week.

“She likes to show off for dad, for sure. So I think she kind of works a little harder because she has her cheering section,” said Melyssa. Annabelle has been doing gymnastics since she was a toddler.

“I think we’ve both learned through this that it’s really easy to take it for granted and we’re really lucky that we get to experience this this way,” Melyssa said.

“I’m her dad. I’m going to do what I can do, no matter what I’m doing to make sure she’s enjoying life and make sure I’m able to enjoy seeing her do it. It’s not about, ‘Dad’s gotta do this,' or, 'Mom’s gotta do that.' We’re parents and we do what we have to do for our kids,” said Jarred.