The big question when it comes to being a male trailing spouse is how we manage to adjust to our role reversals. Two years prior to receiving our first overseas assignment I was laid off from my job. Permanent teaching positions were extremely difficult to find so I became a substitute teacher with increased home life responsibilities. I continued to contribute to the family but in a new way (i.e. making lemonade out of lemons). With my new status the transition to being a male trailing spouse was easy.
Being a stay-at-home-dad (SAHD) had its advantages particularly when it came to moving. My wife left two months early for her overseas position so it was my responsibility to prepare for the move including the sale of the house, sale of vehicles, having our son finish his school year early, packing, preparation for the movers, closing accounts, etc. When we arrived in Norway I had the freedom to search for grocery stores, get our son acclimated to his new school, figure out the public transportation system, find and enroll our son in sports and after-school activities, receive our shipment, unpack and arrange belongings, etc.
The short answer to the initial question is that I/we made the best of the situation we were in making adjustments as needed. Our position as a family is that my contributions shifted from financial to "other." I take joy in what I do. I get satisfaction in having a clean house, good meals, clean clothes and a household that is in good running order. On a side note, during the time I was laid off we became friends with a family going through similar circumstances so it was good to share empathy, understanding and support.
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