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Dads Aren’t Babysitters, They’re Parents
Let’s talk about a common misconception: how often do you hear a dad say he’s “babysitting” his own kids? It’s like, “Last Saturday, I was babysitting Lucy and Max so my partner could finally enjoy a hot shower.” Or you might overhear someone refer to a father taking care of his child as a babysitter. No way! If you’re the father or legal guardian, you’re not babysitting.
According to Merriam-Webster, “babysit” means to care for a child while their parents are away. So, how can you babysit your own child? The moments spent with your kids—whether you’re cleaning up messes, playing with toys, or making sure they don’t lick random strangers—are all part of parenting.
Now, you might think it’s just a matter of words, but language matters. When a dad calls it babysitting, he downplays his role and responsibility as a parent. Bringing a child into your life—whether through birth or adoption—means you’re responsible for them until they’re adults. Babysitting is temporary, but parenting is a lifelong commitment.
Saying that dads are just stand-ins for moms is not only unfair but also sexist. It implies that a dad alone can’t handle parenting, as if leaving a child with him is a risky move. It sends the message that the hard parts of raising kids are solely Mom’s territory.
And what about the dads? They often feel like they’re walking a tightrope when they’re alone with the kids, worried that they’ll mess something up and come home to chaos. It’s not fair to either parent. Men are perfectly capable of parenting, and women have lives beyond motherhood. Plus, kids aren’t just tasks on a to-do list.
Using the term babysitting can also make parenting sound less valuable. “Stuck babysitting the kids, huh? And for free!” is something I actually overheard in a grocery store. Most dads, when given the chance and support, will dive into the messier aspects of parenting without hesitation. So let’s say goodbye to babysitting and hello to being a dad.
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In summary, dads are not babysitters; they are parents with all the responsibilities that come with it. It’s time to recognize and respect the role that fathers play in their children’s lives and to discard outdated notions of what parenting looks like.