Week 14 Day 2

   I hope that I can be a little like the father in this story: http://gamesbyemail.com/WoodTape/Default.htm

   Kids are smart if we let them be.  If my kid ever asks me for the “wood tape” or any other nonsensical item, I hope to have the patience to go along with their plan, no matter how outlandish is seems. 

   In my line of work, I don’t really get to use the word “no” and that is a great thing.  When confronted with a challenge, the answer should never be “no”.  I hope to respond with “what are we really trying to do?” or “how else can we accomplish this?”

   Kids can seriously teach us a few things about doing the impossible or looking at things in a different way.

   Kids are not asses.  It is not possible.  So at what age do we become eligible in ass-ness?

Week 14 Day 1

   I really don’t know what the heck I’m doing.  But I can take solace in the fact that pretty much nobody knows what they’re doing when it comes to having their first kid.

   I’ve mentioned how fortunate we are to have 10 years of getting to know each other to back us up when we have a defenseless infant to protect.  I really can’t imagine deciding to have a child within a year or two of being together.  I know things were different for our parents and I have a great deal of respect for them and everyone of that generation.

   Being in my mid thirties, I would have thought I would be more prepared for parenthood.  And in some ways I am.  I am more patient than I was 10 years ago.  More in touch with myself and my partner

   But I still feel just as ill equipped and unprepared to do all the basic stuff like changing diapers, feeding and doctor’s visits.  Only now I am confidant that all of these things will come with time and a younger version of me might have been more prone to panicking.  But I’m sure it will be nothing like this and I will end up panicking anyway.

Week 13 Day 7

  I’m not a dad, yet.  But apparently it is going to be a battleground.  A couple of weeks ago, I posted this link to an article by Jeff Pearlman on disengaged dads.  My initial reaction was very positive because he said what I was thinking in reference to men who don’t take as active a role as I hope to someday with my own child.

   However, this article by Josh Levs takes Pearlman to task for telling already tired dads that they’re not doing enough.  Levs says to take it easy and be sure to get some sleep.  He also has some very interesting data in his article about dads and work and responsibility.  I also reacted to this positively because I really like my rest and relaxation and am having a bit of anxiety over this. 

   The truth is they are both right…. And they are both wrong.  Probably.  What do I know?  I’m not a dad yet.  But since they’re taking pretty much opposite sides to the same issue (fatherhood), I’m guessing the truth lies somewhere in between.  It’s important to work a little extra because it sets a good example for your children to see what a hard work ethic is.  But it’s also good to spend some time with them so they feel connected.

     And then there’s this article by April Pevashmushmush. (Sp?)  She goes on the attack saying Levs is “off the mark” insinuating that fathers need to do much more than merely “teaching your kids the words to, Satisfaction."  Not that she’s observed Levs’ parenting so how does she know?  April then issues a quiz with a list of questions to make dads everywhere feel even more inadequate.  Thanks, April.

  This is probably a different issue altogether.  I have no doubt that all three of these people are probably great parents.  But I’m guessing that they are all upper middle class in the socioeconomic scale (and white) and none really have an idea what it’s like to struggle to put food in front of your family.  I mean REALLY struggle.  Not that I know.  

   I’d be curious to know the percentages of dads who make $40k or less per year and have more than 2 kids.  What response would these three have to those dads?  Could they even relate?  I seriously doubt it.

   So while us middle class white folk sit in front of our computers arguing what makes a good dad, let’s not forget about the dads out there who have to buy crappy food to feed their family because they can’t afford fresh fruits and vegetables.  Let’s not forget about the dads with 2 or more jobs and literally can’t afford the time to spend with their partner let alone attend PTA meetings.  In all our efforts to tell everyone that we’re a better parent because of X, Y and Z, how about not being an ass to all those dads out there who are barely able to do A, B and C.  Is it not enough to let dads know that trying your hardest is good enough?

Week 13 Day 5

   We went to IKEA to look for new things to get for the nursery.  And we found a killer set of drawers that is just the right height for changin’ babies! 

   But what I really want to say is I’ve never seen so many pregnant women in one place before in my life!  Now I’ve been to IKEA before but haven’t noticed this.  Am I only noticing this now because we are expecting?  I think it’s kind of like not noticing how many of one kind of car is on the road until you’ve driven it, then seeing them all over the place.

   IKEA must be like a magnet for expectant parents looking to furnish a nursery for super cheap.  Gotta hand it to the Swedes.  They know how to tap into a market.

   This makes me wonder where else I will start noticing a high percentage of pregnant women.  Has anyone else noticed places like this?