Sometimes, I find myself feeling a bit outmatched by the incredible moms I see around me. With my partner, Sarah, and our nanny, I’m enveloped by a team of superstars. Living up to their standards can be daunting. There have definitely been moments in my parenting journey where I’ve dropped the ball—like forgetting to pack diapers or leaving the milk in the fridge. But amidst those mess-ups, I’ve had some shining moments where I can proudly say I didn’t completely drop the ball as a father. Here are six of those times.
1. The First Perfect Bottle Warm-Up
I can’t quite explain why it took me so long to master warming a bottle, but during that first week at home, it felt like every bottle was either ice cold or scalding hot. The moment I successfully warmed a bottle to the perfect temperature for midnight feeding, I did a little victory dance. There was no way I was going to let that moment slip by without some dad pride!
2. Remembering Her Pants
Look at my little girl all dressed up and ready for the day, complete with pants! I’ve had my share of outings where I’ve forgotten to dress her properly—parenting can scramble your brain. But this time, I got it right, ensuring she was snug and warm for whatever weather we faced.
3. Surviving a Girls’ Night
When Sarah headed out for a much-needed girls’ night, I took the reins and watched our daughter all evening. I was nervous but managed to keep everything in one piece. The house was intact, the baby was safe, and no fire department was necessary. I consider that a total win in the dad department.
4. Introducing Good Music
I’m on a mission to ensure my daughter gets a solid musical education. I played her Otis Redding and made it a point to create an environment that appreciates quality tunes. No pop nonsense in this house! A cultured kid is a happy kid, right?
5. Driving Safely with My Little One
The first time she was in the backseat, I felt like a new driver again. Every vehicle on the road seemed like a threat, and I was on high alert. Thankfully, I managed to keep my cool and drive safely, bringing her home without a hitch.
6. Waking Up Before Sarah
It’s a rarity, but when I actually hear our daughter crying before Sarah does, I can’t help but feel a little smug. It’s usually the other way around, but when I spring into action, I resist the temptation to wake Sarah up just to gloat. After all, she deserves her sleep!
Overall, I think I’m doing alright as a dad. My child is thriving, our home is mostly standing, and she’s learning to appreciate good music. They say parenting is about embracing imperfection and striving to improve, so I must be doing okay.
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Summary:
In this lighthearted reflection, I share six moments where I felt like a successful dad amid the chaos of parenting. From mastering bottle warming to ensuring my daughter leaves the house dressed, these small victories remind me that I’m on the right track. Balancing the challenges of fatherhood with a bit of humor can help any parent navigate this journey.