It seems that fathers are more involved in parenting than previous generations given that there are nearly 350,000 stay at home dads in Britain according to latest research.

It seems that the days of women staying at home and dads going out to work is no longer the general norm.

The number of full-time fathers has gone up from 192,000 to 342,000 since April 2008 which is an increase of some 80%.

I got the above information from reading the Metro newspaper and I found it quite staggering. However it went on to say that the rises also coincided with more unemployment which suggests that many househusbands have lost their jobs. Apparently 75% of mothers see nothing wrong in many looking after children full time a survey revealed.

7 in 10 mothers and fathers shared parenting duties regardless of who stays at home with 80% having joint responsibility of issues such as discipline. However 40% of new mothers go back to work because they feel they have no choice. Anybody that is trying to sort out childcare and with the government's latest talk about wanting to get people back to work the reality of trying to firstly find childcare and secondly being able to pay for it means that the position is far from easy to many.

Apparently psychologist Dr Richard Woolfson who analysed the Tesco's baby and toddler club research said that today's parents had a better grasp of the work life balance. He said that parents were not taking promotions and not working full-time so that they would have more time to spend with their kids.

I never put forward any political view in the these blogs but most of the couples that I know are both working and are often quite tired and stressed. Personally to me if you want to bring up your children the worklife balance still seems to be quite unattainable although it is something I strive for on a regular basis. One thing is sure my dad would never have considered being a stay at home dad but most of the blokes that I know, including myself, would give it a go if the finances permitted.As to the work life balance I am writing from my office and its Sunday. Not sure I am there yet. Good luck fellow dads and dads to be. It aint easy but I think it's worth it!