Any husbands on F2 visa? What are your goals and how are your coping?

My career prospects have sputtered. My wife is a PhD student and I look after my 2 kids. I'm not eligible for any work and all the work I do in the care economy gets no acknowledgement.

The R1 university grad program that I have been applying for the past two years (where my wife also studies at) has rejected me for the second time. (The latest one had me in the waitlist but heard this week that I was rejected. No doubt the current administration was a factor...)

I fear my profile won't get much better next year if I just stay home and look after my kids. I had some exciting research projects, but with my F2 visa, I'm not sure if I can do any of that.

The fact that I can't work legally or earn any income, even if remotely for overseas organisations makes me depressed. I'm 37 year old and the gap in my CV is getting bigger and bigger.

Since my wife is 2 years into her 4 year program, if I apply and get accepted next year, she'll have graduated while I'm halfway done, and will look for jobs, which means another relocation.

This diminished status is eating away at me, and despite my regular management of the household, my wife and kids release their stress at me, and says I should find under the table jobs. The problem is, I can't find anything in the city.

How are you all coping? I always thought I'd be an academic but I'm rusting up each year. Should I just swallow my pride and commit to the house husband life? Is this the parental sacrifice that first gen immigrants talk about?

Should I just try a trade school and become a plumber or something?

Any tips or commiserations appreciated.