July 27, 2011. I had no idea what to
expect, but I knew my life was about
to change.
After 9 months of pregnancy, on the
night of his due date, my son started
to make his move into the world. My
wife’s labour took all of 4 hours, and
he was here. All 8.7lbs of him. Long
and healthy.
It’s amazing that the time has flown
by so quickly.
He’s going to be 3 this
July, and in a recent conversation
with a friend I started recapping the
ways being a father has changed my
perspective on life, for the better.1. I Love My Parents Even More Now Not that I didn’t love them before, because despite how life has played out for them, they managed to love and keep me alive, provided the best opportunity and education they could afford. Any failure in this regard is squarely on my shoulders. Thinking about all that is required to raise one child, much less 5, or in the case of my dad 7; I tip my hat to them.
2. I Really Respect
Single Parents
A job designed for 2, now resting on
one person’s shoulders. You know a
parenting job has been done well
when you see a well-rounded child.
Knowing what that single parent
must have gone through… respect to
them! Hands-on parents know the
difficulty experienced in just trying
to cook a meal, iron clothes, take out
the garbage. Really simple tasks,
with young children around, ain’t
easy.
3. I Enjoy the Simple
Life
Staying home, going to the park,
participating in pre-K swimming
classes, fending off shadow
monsters, knowing every program
on Treehouse TV, being present for
family. It’s great, healthy, safe and
makes me feel happy.
In my past life I was proverbial
bachelor–a person my friends
thought “will never get married and
will probably die alone.” I
considered a 1-bedroom apartment
sufficient for my life’s experiences. I
had a large circle of friends and
enjoyed the gatherings and annual
celebrations. To top it off, I was in
the event production business, and
was always at nightly events,
promoting or networking.
Now I work from home, and hardly
have the time to attend any events,
unless it’s for a client, family
member or good friend.
4. There Are Only 2
Types of People in This
World
Before I became a father, I already
had 5 god children. I wasn’t sure
what my friends were identifying
with in my character. I was a
bachelor, and a free-spirited
individual. But what I quickly
discovered is that parents and
people with no kids can often be so
divergent and opposite. No amount
of babysitting and taking care of your
godchildren or nieces/nephews can
prepare you for the daily work of
parenthood. Eventually the friends
without children, whether they were
in a relationship or married or not…
drifted away. Our support circle is
now full of young parents like
ourselves who are trying to figure
our way through this parenting
thing.
5. Unconditional Love
is Real Love
I have been in love many times. I
love my family and my friends. But
that love is different, and can never
supersede the love I have for my
son. This protective nature, the
caring, discipline, teaching and
learning, is priceless. Simple things
that my child does amuses and
entertains me beyond belief. I
started to wonder why I didn’t have
a child years ago. The answer: I
didn’t find the right woman to put
up with me.
Now I have a great and
communicative partner who makes
the job of raising this child possibly
one of the most enjoyable
experiences I have ever had in my
entire life. He is a blessing. Full of
personality and a mirror for all things
good and bad in my life. He teaches
me far more than I ever will teach
him.
Will we have a second child? Only
the big guy upstairs can answer that
question. But if it does happen it
feels good knowing that he or she
will enter this loving space that we
are trying to foster and maintain.
Written by Roger Dundas
Your views are most welcome...
No comments:
Post a Comment