by Dee Brun
Since Fatherʼs Day is this month I decided to try and step into my husband’s shoes and see what it is like to be a dad. So I paid closer attention to how he interacted with the kids and how they responded to him in situations compared to me. I also decided to interview my husband on his thoughts and feelings about being a father.
Five minutes into this endeavor I wanted to grind my teeth to powder. Just the mention of the words “talk” and “feelings” made this my shortest interview ever. My husband suddenly became about as chatty as Helen Keller. So I was left to draw my own conclusions on what it was like to be dad.
The main thing I realized in this research is that dads are still “men”. So naturally they have a very, how shall I say, “unique” way of doing things compared to “moms”. Here are a few that I had the sheer pleasure of observing…
Bath Time: Dads much prefer their young sons to run around the house to drip dry over the conventional invention of a towel.
Diaper Change: Dads feel that the diaper is just as absorbent no matter which way the silly cartoon characters are facing.
Feeding Time: Dads feel that the only food group that matters is the one that the child will eat with the least resistant and minimal spillage.
Bed Time: Dads insist that the smallest book with the fewest words is “His Favorite”.
Time Out: Dads always discipline…….Oh who are we kidding?
My favorite discovery of this study is that Dads play, giggle and love their babies just like moms do, only they make a lot more noise. I also realized that I prefer my husbands shoes on his feet where they belong.
I love watching him be a dad. There is nothing more attractive than seeing a man caring and playing with his children. Now if we can only get them to carry and give birth to them we would be all set.
So give an extra hug, kiss and a big thank you to dads on their special day. They work hard and try their best and to be frank…some days to a better job than I can. Most of all, donʼt forget to tell your kids that you LOVE their dad.
Commander and Chief Caesar
6 oz Clam Tomato Cocktail
1.5 oz vodka
1/2 tsp horseradish
2 tbsp dill pickle juice
Celery salt to taste, a dash Tabasco, a dash Worcestershire sauce. Garnish with a Dill Pickle. Mix all ingredients in a large glass rimmed with celery salt and serve to dad as he enjoys some “me” time.
Dee Brun is the author of the stirring book Libations of Life, A Girls Guide to Life One Cocktail at a Time. She has combined imaginative cocktails with witty accounts of dating, carousing, dieting and simply put, the ups and downs of Life. Follow her on Twitter.
1 Comment
I've been reading your website, but feel there's less motherly advice here than man-bashing, covered up by witt/jokes. I think it's easy to find fault with our partners, but I bet none of these mom's are perfect either. …trust me, you don't want a SNAG (sensitive new-age guy). You think you do, but the moment most women land these feminized men, they walk all over them and loose respect for them.
It would be nice to see a more balanced perspective on men and ourselves. We're not perfect either.
…wishing all women a more balanced and grounded perspective on life, marriage, love and motherhood.