Fathers - On The Shoulders Of Giants

(pic via reddit.com reddit.com)

"On my dad’s shoulders the world is so small, I am a giant 100 feet tall" - Les Julian

   The above pic cracked me up. Though I never fell asleep on my father's shoulders, I certainly spent my fair share of time up there. I even water skied on my old man's shoulders one year. There is an exhilaration felt at that height. You can see further, feel mightier, and save your legs on a long day at the theme park. 

   We as fathers have a lot to bear on our shoulders. We're charged with being the other half to an equation that will shape and mold our young ones. Puts the pressure on, doesn't it? Sometimes my shoulders ache from holding my wee ones while we're out. Yet, I find that even when I don't feel like I can last another minute, I carry on and never want to let go. I don't know any father that doesn't want to be a hero to their child, and I am no different. Sitting on our shoulders can give them pride and confidence that doesn't exist on the ground level. So even when I'm zapped from a long day, carrying the extra burden of my son or daughter is well worth the "weight". If we don't have time for that, what do we have time for? 

   My step-father is another great example of a guy who will give a free ride to whomever asks that is under the age of 5-6 years or so. He's always demonstrated that there will always be time for little ones. As he breezes through his 60's, he's still cutting it up with my children, which reminds me to make the time and set an example. The guys over at Fatherhood.org had a great piece you can read on Building A Better Dad - Should We Start Earlier? This starts on the metaphorical "shoulders of dad". Our wives and mothers bear so much of the weight, I know we can all participate to carry our own portion. Let us set the example and impart the knowledge we've gained from either our own excellent father figures, or the knowledge we've learned along the way. 

Here's to you dads. 

J. 

Don't miss some additional posts on this topic. Like: 

Fatherhood - Breaking The Cycle of Bad

When There's Big Shoes To Fill

A Father's Love

When Fathers Dress Their Children

 

"The problem with the gene pool is that there is no lifeguard." - Steven Wright

 

   How is that we guys can roll out of bed, throw on yesterday's clothes in seconds, and be out the door in no time, yet at times we can't figure out which end is up with our kid's clothes? Sometimes if feels like I'm trying to figure out a Rubik's Cube, or at least like The Riddler is having a good laugh at my expense.
 

   Story time! When my father had a daughter later in life, he was pretty proud to bounce her on his knee and carry her around. His responsibilities were limited, as he admitted of himself, "I'm not really sure what to do with little ones." One visit to his place in the early months proved him right. The Wife and I were looking at my baby half-sister when I heard a giggle from my better half. I didn't notice anything, but remember, I'm a guy. If the nudity is covered, we're good, right? NOPE. The little wee one's shirt was on inside-out, backwards, with the tag up 'n out tickling her throat. When my dad asked "What's so funny?", The Wife could barely get the words out for the laughter. I was holding back my own laughter to protect my fellow man, but also 'cuz my father gets embarrassed and pissed off pretty quick. When he realized what he'd done, I saw his jaw muscles tense before he tried to calmly fixed the error.
 

   I know we've all done something similar, especially if we're not the primary care giver. The Wife never seems to make that mistake and my fellow dads that have the honor of being a stay-home probably have fewer issues than I do, I'm sure. No doubt, the less experienced were kept in mind when the "this end up" onesie was offered on CafePress.com. I think it prudent that when fathers dress their children, they shouldn't be watching the big game, reading their favorite magazine, or having an in depth conversation with anyone. Else they be subject to the mock and scorn of our counterparts. I for one will follow the "Measure twice, cut once" man code when I try to dress my kids. Smaller room for error, so they say.

J.

Daddy Chores

"Learning the role of a father in a child's life and the many things
dads can do is important to becoming a good father." Amy Davidson, eHow Contributor

   I don't recall my father participating in the day to day of us children. Granted, he was gone at work a lot, but part of me thinks he preferred it that way. Given that situation, how was I to know what to do as a father of little ones? Since me and The Wife waited awhile to have our little ones, we participated and observed family and friends around us. I not only picked up on the little things you do to take care of your mini-me, but also how much a father participates these days. Not every dad does, but I think we all see more of it.

   My initial concept of marriage and parenting dates back to the 50's, where I'd go to work and come home to a warm meal, children bathed, and The Wife in a kitchen apron asking how my day was. My world was firmly tipped upside down when I married my sweetheart and realized a few things. She made a better salary than me, got home later than me, and we didn't have kids for several years. So I tried to adapt and help out more with taking turns at cooking 'n such. It was evolving when we decided to have a family. 

   When our 'Lil Miss came along, I was still fuzzy as to my role. The Wife did a lot of the care giving. Most dads have admitted to feeling a bit un-needed in the early phases. At around 6 months, I was asked to start contributing, so I got my feet wet with bathing and eating times. When my world didn't implode, I got more confident. 

   These days, I'm a part of every facet of their lives. Beginning with the night before, we BOTH participate in dinner, jammies, brushing teeth, washing face, stories, night-nights, wake ups, breakfast, making lunch, carpool, homework, and all the stuff in between (diapers, nail clipping, etc.) It's no longer a oddity for me to participate. I can't imagine it any different. When I think of husband chores, I know I'm taking out the garbage, changing a light bulb, driving to the store, etc. When I think of daddy chores, I get me tissue, clippers, rash cream and so on. 

   What is the one daddy chore YOU never thought would be on your "to-do" list? 

J.