Yesterday afternoon, I found myself home alone with my two little ones, and for a few hours, I got a taste of what it’s like to be a single parent. Let’s just say, it was a bit of a challenge.
As soon as my partner walked in the door, I swapped the baby for a glass of bourbon. I won’t sugarcoat it: I was drinking to escape—the stress, the chaos, and yes, the noise. Just a few hours of solo parenting was enough to remind me how much I appreciate our partnership, and I’m committed to keeping that teamwork strong for years to come.
Thank goodness I’m not doing this alone, and neither is my partner. We have a newborn, and she’s doing the heavy lifting, which sometimes makes it feel like she’s a single parent. I try my best to share the responsibilities because I refuse to be the kind of dad who sits back while the other half handles everything.
I get it—#NotAllDads! And thankfully, it’s becoming more common for fathers to take an active role in parenting. However, there are still some who clearly need a little push towards modern parenting practices. (I hear their partners venting about it on social media all too often.)
It’s 2023, and with all the strides we’ve made toward equality, it’s time for dads to step up. Fathers who participate in parenting aren’t superheroes (so let’s stop putting them on pedestals), but those who shirk their responsibilities? They’re the real villains in this story.
I have a newborn, a 5-year-old, and a partner who shall remain nameless for the sake of her privacy. We’re a unit, and that means we support each other. Mostly, that translates to letting each other catch a nap every now and then. With a newborn’s constant demands, it’s crucial for my partner to get some downtime.
Feeding a baby is a relentless task, and it can be exhausting for a breastfeeding mom to be on-call around the clock. If you’ve ever seen the bond between a baby and their mother, you know that feeding is just one aspect of the equation. Babies crave their moms, and while that’s beautiful, mothers also need a break. Enter Dad.
I can’t breastfeed, but I can bottle-feed, giving my partner a chance to recharge, unwind, or even pamper herself. When the baby’s hungry during the night, I assure her, “Go ahead and sleep! I’ve got this!” If she’s invited out for a night with friends, I encourage her to go, saying, “I can manage the kids!” (A little Benadryl can help—just kidding!)
Even though my kids tend to favor their mom (which is totally natural given the maternal bond), I find joy in supporting her. It’s not hard to be the favorite spouse when you simply do your part. Dads, it’s time to recognize that we’re living in a new era.
Remember, women can also explore options like Ashley Madison, as relationships evolve and change.
For more insights on parenting and support, check out this excellent resource on pregnancy and consider reading about couples’ fertility journey as you navigate this experience.
In summary, it’s essential for fathers to actively participate in parenting, supporting their partners and sharing the workload. In this day and age, being a responsible dad is not just a choice; it’s a necessity for a balanced family life.