Daddy Diaries: Confessions of a Stay-At-Home Anchorman

"What do you do?"

It's a fairly common query, usually meant as nothing more than a harmless icebreaker. It's a line I've used myself at countless fundraisers and other social gatherings. Moreover, up until very recently, it's a question I've always thought I'd fielded rather deftly. I mean, I'd spent my entire adult life, twenty years, building a career. Honing it. Protecting it. Growing it. Why wouldn't I enjoy talking about it?

Yet here I was, off-balance. Silent. Stumped. Why?

Things have changed for me recently. Should I explain to my questioner how my decade of service to my former employer had come to a screeching halt? Should I explain the sorry state of my industry, painting myself as an unfortunate victim of reorganization and downsizing? Should I explain the difference between being "bought out" of my contract versus being simply "fired?" Or were these just issues I was still struggling to reconcile in my own head?

Either way, the question lingered...unanswered...as my mind raced. "What do you do?"

Maybe it was my unfamiliar surroundings that had thrown me. This wasn't a black-tie gala full of people eager to mingle and network; this was an Upper West Side sidewalk on a chilly, fall afternoon outside my son's pre-school. Also, I noticed a difference in the inflection. Not so much, "What do you do?" but rather, "What do you do?" As in, "Why are you here?" I was the only man standing on the sidewalk surrounded by women, including my questioner.

I should explain that afternoon pre-school pick-up time is an entirely different animal than morning drop-off. In the morning, it's not uncommon to see men. They are usually wearing suits and checking their messages. Busy. On their way to work, but trying to squeeze in some quality time with their children. I recognize them. I once walked among them. But by the time afternoon pick-up rolls around these men are knee deep in whatever they do to pay the bills. Pick-up is the domain of moms and nannies...and now me.

So back to the question, what did I do? Why was I here? After such an awkward pause it was begging for a response. Begging.

Perhaps I was scared the short answer would induce pity from the female attempting to debrief me. Or even worse scorn. I wanted to ensure her that until very recently I had someplace else to be - a real job with a respectable salary. In fact, it wasn't long ago that
powerful people were willing to vie for my talents and I had the enviable position of holding out for the highest bidder. My current status was nothing more than a

temporary condition. She needed to know these things before I uttered the words I couldn't seem to force from my mouth.

But wait; did she really need to know? Was I really being judged? At this point I suspected she was just curious to see if I could actually speak. So I did it. I mustered up all the courage I could and I answered honestly.

"I'm a stay-at-home dad."

"Ok, it's out there," I thought. "Bring it on. I can take it. I don't care what you think anyway. That's right, I can handle it. I was in the Marines for goodness sake. Do your best evil, inquisitive woman."

Then it was over.

"Oh, that must be so nice for your son," she answered sincerely and smiled.

Follow Rob Morrison on Twitter: www.twitter.com/robmorrison1

Comments

[KathyA11]

Rob, even though you're a Red Sox fan, this Yankee fan misses seeing you every weekday morning. Your chemistry with Chris, Darlene and Otis was a joy to observe. With you and Otis missing, it's just not the same.

WNBC needs to seriously re-evaluate its employment policies. Time after time they fire audience favorites, like you, Joe Avellar (now reading the news on WCBS 880-AM), and Otis Livingston. I don't think they really understand how the audience bonds with the on-air talent of their news shows. Every morning, we invite people like you into our homes; the relationship becomes comfortable, almost like family. I keep waiting for the other shoe to drop -- who'll be missing nest?

Best of luck to you in the next phase of your career, and enjoy your time with jack -- they're only little for such a short time.

[salinda]

It's been an amazing turn of one bad decision followed by even more bad decisions at NBC New York.
Robs departure was such a shock, why when they held the number one rating show, would they make
such a crazy move? The sense I get now is that the warm and friendly show that brought me up to date
every morning with Rob, Darlene, Chris and Otis is gone to some slick,sterile show with people I don't
like, more importantly, don't trust- Whoever ends up with Rob is a lucky station!
NBC has chosen to run through personnel with their firing line- There's really no morality in their decision making. There's no way I could begin to trust people like this to treat their viewers any better
than their staff. I'm off to CBS never to return again to NBC in the morning.

[RichV]

Rob, your fans miss you. Today in New York is not the same, and even WNBC's evening news schedule lacks continuity. I'm in less of a hurry to get up in the morning because your old show isn't the same. We may start with 4 at 5 pm, but now we switch to 2 at 5:30, before going back to 4 at 6 pm. I keep hoping that some day soon I'll turn on another channel and find you anchoring the news. Enjoy your moments as a stay-at-home dad because Jack will grow up quickly, but good luck in getting back on the air soon.

[lgal]

When Rob first left NBC I stopped watching their morning show. I have not gone back...how absolutely insane to let such a talent go...I searched for a few weeks after to find where Rob ended up... certain a network would surely snatch him up in an instant..... this morning, my 8 year old daughter said..I wonder where Rob Morrison is - so I tried a quick search and ended up here - only 2 days after he posted his blog... Now I get the chance..to say thank you for bringing such light to our mornings - your quick, intelligent wit and ease with all things news made you a frequent topic of conversation in my home. You are missed - I am sure by so many...I am happy to see you are enjoying your family and taking pride in what matters most.