He had a job selling health insurance but didn’t like it. He wanted to pursue an online degree in computer science, so staying home was a good fit with his goal.

He also enjoyed cooking and cleaning, while Katrina said she considered those to be chores.

She said that her husband is doing a great job with their daughter and that the role is right for him.

After Aurora finished slicing the toy fruit, her dad pulled out a new Mickey Mouse puzzle.

“What color is the border?” he asked her.

“Pink,” she said.

Wearing pink leggings and a shirt that said “Daddy is my superhero,” she stacked the cube-shape puzzle pieces into a tower. She giggled as she added one more piece and the tower toppled over.

Phelan said he had a great role model for becoming a stay-at-home parent. After his parents divorced when he was about 7, he and his three younger brothers lived full time with their father, who farmed in southwest Minnesota. He said his father became their caregiver, fixing meals, doing laundry and helping with homework.

As he grew older he began helping his father care for his little brothers.