- Daniel Peebles gave up a film career to care for his sons, one of whom has cerebral palsy, full-time.
- Peebles’ wife, Courtney, started a toy business in 2023, which she runs from their home.
- The family business, Solobo, supports them now as Peebles embraces life as a stay-at-home dad.
This essay as stated is based on a conversation with Daniel Peeblesa 27-year-old stay-at-home dad in Arizona. The following has been edited for length and clarity.
While I was growing up with my dad in Virginia Beach, he surfed often. When I was 8, he asked me to start filming him surfing.
I learned to love telling stories and as I got older I picked up my camera again to make videos for my family and friends in our town for $100 each.
I made it into a successful film career but left to stay home and take care of my two children, one with special needs, while my wife runs a company.
When I was 18, I started making real money with film projects
I decided not to go to college because I knew what I wanted to do for a career. At first shooting was just a hobby, but I started to take it seriously and get more involved.
Through word of mouth, local businesses in our area contacted me to ask if I offered filming and editing services. I charged local companies between $1,000 and $3,000 per project.
In 2017 I met the woman who would become my wife
Peebles and his wife, Courtney. Courtesy of Daniel and Courtney Peebles
Courtney worked as a producer at a megachurch. We have worked together on film projects and achieved it. We got married in 2018 and moved in together.
I realized that the film projects I was doing here and there would not be enough income for a family – I needed a real job.
In 2018, I worked for six months at a mortgage company. Courtney was a multimedia specialist at the time. We were making good money, but we were miserable and wanted to spend more time together. We both moved out at the end of that year.
I returned to freelancing for film projects in 2019
Our first son was born in December. Courtney stayed home with our son and I took on film freelance work, but I lost all my film clients when the pandemic hit. Since opportunities were few and far between, I networked and landed a full-time job as a film director at Ironclad.
I was grateful for the job and the $80,000 salary. With bonuses, it was in the six figures every year. Our second son was then born in May 2021.
My little boy has cerebral palsy, which meant a lot of care
Peebles and his youngest son. Courtesy of Daniel and Courtney Peebles
I traveled constantly. There were some weeks where I was gone three weeks a month. Every time I left the house, I felt a buzz because I didn’t want my sons to grow up with a father who wasn’t around.
After my son’s diagnosis, I started to downsize and moved into more post-production, which kept me at home.
My son requires supervision at all times and is in long term care in our state. I am a registered provider under the program. If I was not registered, attendants would come to our house whenever needed.
Courtney was disappointed with our youngest son’s toys
Courtney discovered that the toy industry lacked toys for neurodivergent children. My little boy had a lot of movement problems with his hands. She couldn’t find any toys to help her with those movements.
She started making things just out of cardboard, and then kept coming up with more ideas. Courtney started Solobo LLC, our family toy business, in March 2023. We invested $10,000 we had saved into prototypes.
At first, she worked on product creation, marketing, sales and logistics for the business at night, while I worked during the day.
We decided to quit my job and let Courtney follow her dream
As the business grew, I told Courtney how miserable I was being away from her and the boys and we talked about her passion for the business. I hesitated to become a stay-at-home dad, but it seemed like the right choice.
I was on my way to becoming Chief Manufacturing Officer when I left my job at Ironclad in June 2023. I made the leap even though we had no savings at the time.
My father traveled a lot for work while I was growing up, and I didn’t get to see him as much as I wanted. Staying home with my boys was more important to me than money.
My day-to-day life as a stay-at-home dad is completely different
Peebles and his eldest son. Courtesy of Daniel and Courtney Peebles
One of my children wakes me up – they are my alarm. I get up and cook breakfast for the family. Courtney goes upstairs to work while I play with the boys.
We have activities several times a week. I teach them practical things, how to swim. The boys go to school several times a week, too – it’s an immersive learning space through play.
I assist Courtney with fulfillment coordination, inventory and overnight logistics. We have several regular subcontractors and a team of pediatric experts.
Money is tight at times, but the business pays our bills
Our relationship has become stronger. Courtney and I first met through work, so it’s great to be working with my best friend again. I have the privilege of spending more time with my sons than most fathers, and it’s beautiful.
I’ve had people come up to me who are really puzzled that Courtney and I never get tired of always being around each other. We work, laugh, cry and dream together and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Growing up – dads work and stay at home moms – I felt there was a stigma about stay at home dads, but I did it anyway. I can see how we are building a better future for our boys.
The toy business continues to grow
I love the life of a stay at home dad. The only reason I would consider going back to work depends on the level of care our son needs (as he grows) and where our business is by then.
Everyone thought I was crazy when I quit my job in the film industry to become a stay-at-home dad, but it was the best decision for our family.
