We're taking a break from Guest Dads today to discuss a couple of related items in the news. All of them revolve around the omnipresent topic of our lives these days: the economy.

In case you missed it yesterday, you should read this New York Times piece on former executive fathers now picking up much of the child care for their families in well-heeled Westchester County. While they mourn the loss of their jobs and worry about what comes next, in the meantime these fathers are making valuable contributions -- lending their financial acumen to the PTA, checking over their kids' homework. I was struck by one father's realization that he was used to being listened to by the people he worked for -- but that it was much harder to command the attention of his children.

And we can't help but weigh in on the very sad stories of two other fathers, much discussed already this week, who recently killed themselves and their families amid economic troubles. I'm wondering whether these stories have made you look at your own situation any differently.