When it comes to parenting, the main target for marketing, classes or websites is generally the mums, right?
If I’m honest, I can often see why, when mums have traditionally taken on board the lion’s share of parenting duties and so therefore appear to be the ones in charge of that ‘department’.
Even now, if one parent is to choose part-time work or indeed to parent full-time, it seems that it can mostly be the mum.
On the other hand, I think some of the ‘Mother Knows Best’ theme song that we sing around parenting is just a result of bad habits.
We have gotten used to excluding dads from the conversation, and in doing so, make out that they’re incapable of being a great parent.
Australian blogger Rosie Writes penned a great piece all about the weird stuff we automatically say about dads such as ‘Looks like dad dressed them today!’ (when maybe they hadn’t!) or ‘Is dad babysitting?’
It got me to thinking about how lucky I am to have a great guy in my partner Alan, who is a super dad to our two kids.
He doesn’t get it right all the time but guess what? NEITHER DO I.
Isn’t it time we changed the record and recognised that dads are parenting just as hard as the mammies?
Here are 8 things I just love about my partner being dad to our kids:
1. He Is The Official Baby Rocker
Our daughter Eva had colic when she was born and he rocked her in a rocking chair in the sitting room every single night for twelve weeks without complaining. No joke.
2. He Is A Fab Role Model For Our Son
I hear Jacob saying things like ‘I want to be strong like my daddy when I grow up’ or ‘I want to be an engineer’ or this mornings, ‘I want to have nice hair like you, daddy, when I grow up’ make my heart sing.
3. He Changed His Lifestyle For Them
Very early on after Jacob was born, Alan quit drinking for a year. Just like that. He wanted to be able for the sleep deprivation, he wanted to be alert in case our son ever needed anything, and most of all – he wanted to be a fit and healthy dad for him. Cue much admiration and high fives.
4. He Is The Love Of Our Daughter’s Life
Eva may only be a year-and-a-half but she is obsessed with her dad. Obsessed. She will literally push my face away if I ask for a kiss and then plant seven on Alan’s face. Woe betide the suitor that comes knocking on our door when she’s older – they are in for SO much trouble.
5. He Is A Great Teacher
No matter how many questions Jacob asks about the world, Alan is there with the proper scientific answers for him. He points out geographical features on the landscape, or historical buildings, and shares all he knows with the kids. You know, while I’m busy on Instagram.
6. He Wants To Be With Them All The Time
Hands down, he misses the kids much more than I do if we are away for the weekend, and would take them everywhere with him if he could. I think it is SO adorable that he feels that way but I may have had to draw the line at them coming on honeymoon with us this year..
7. He’s A Feeder
I am so completely shit at cooking and honestly, Alan makes the best lunches and dinners for the kids. He is completely into their health and nutrition in a way that leaves me certain that they are getting all the need from their meals. I’m just really great at the washing up.
8. He’s Got A Great Sense Of Humour
I mean, you need one when you have small kids, right? If you have a partner who makes sure that you can laugh together through all the little parenting bumps along the road, then you know you’ve got yourself a keeper.
What things make your kid’s dad the greatest? Let us know in the comments on Facebook.
