A little perspective goes a long way…
Dads can be wimps, really.
Ok, Melissa is sick today (possibly the flu) and I am the sole caretaker of Declan, 4 and Teagan, 7 months. The latter fact is something that for whatever reason, always fills me with dread. I always imagine something terrible happening under my watch like drowning, coloring the walls, electrical shock, kidnapping, improper nutrition (you know, the usual). What gets me is that Melissa always handles it like a pro when I don’t get home until late, or I’m out at rehearsal or whatever and she’s stuck with the kids. In fact, she rarely even mentions it. Really. I should be ashamed of myself….she’s sick for goodness sakes, I should be jumping out of my seat to help. Right?
How did our roads diverge to this point? Do we not live in the same house? I spend tons of time with the kids, so why is it that when a situation like this happens, I feel the anxiety rise? Is it some holdover gene from my manly hunter-gatherer forebears?
We may never know men, but what we do know is that moms are awesome. and in general husbands…where we lack, they make up – big time. I for one will be watching the kids tonight with a joyful heart, and I’ll be waiting for Melissa to get better – so I can kiss her and tell her how much I appreciate everything she does. A little perspective goes a long way.
- Joshua
October 13, 2009 at 5:52 pm
We just hide the dread better and get use to it with time.
October 13, 2009 at 7:15 pm
You are doing good to admit the “dread”. Everyone feels it at times, even the mamas. And you are right, a little perspective goes a long way. I have to remind myself sometimes that later in life, I will cherish these times I got alone with my son.
October 13, 2009 at 7:29 pm
Moms need a little perspective sometimes, too. It’s a little too often that I have to remind myself that raising children is a great privilege, and while I enjoy almost everyday, I do catch myself taking advantage of the little things, like the giggles they have when I’m trying to rush out the door. Thank you for reminding me just one more time how much joy parenting can be, even in the moments when in between.
Melissa is a very lucky gal, and your children are lucky to have you both.
October 13, 2009 at 10:50 pm
My babies are now teenagers but I remember when they were both in diapers at the same time, we both worked full-time, and it seemed like there were never clean clothes, clean dishes and clean floors all at once. We juggled diaper duty, dinner duty and trips to the doctor between the two of us and some days I think I fell asleep well before my eyelids shut. But I wouldn’t trade a minute with my boys, or a second of sharing their raising with a father who wanted to be there with us and who still isn’t afraid to kiss his young men before they go to bed at night.
I’ve always known that if I worked toward raising good men I would get happy little boys along the way – and I have. The smiles on their faces tell me your kids will be wonderful “big people” someday, too! Declan and Teagan are lucky to have the two of you at the helm! God bless you all