The short answer is, everything. It is not always easy when in actual fact, there are a lot of times that I have absolutely zilch idea what I am doing. But that is part of the fun of the whole package of being a Dad, no?
We parents pore over numerous parenting books and surf endless websites before our kids are born. And what they tell us is that along with children come diapers, tantrums, lack of sleep, added financial responsibility and the challenge of finding places to hide vegetables in their food. You know, the usual stuff.
But the things the parenting books do not tell you about, however, are the things that make being a parent the amazing and rewarding experience it is. There are so many milestones that make your heart swell with an equal mixture of pride, love and joy.
The first time they grab your finger, smile at you, walk, talk, say “I love you,” write out their name, go to school, sing the alphabet, use the potty – you get the drift. There are a thousand more examples I could use to describe the moments where your heart grows in size, but it is likely you already know them all.
If you had told me before the birth of my children that I would willingly change clothes for Barbie, or serve tea to Hello Kitty, Dora and my two-year-old daughter, I would have laughed and then done something manly, like flex my one-pack tummy.
The thing is, when your child looks at you with loving eyes and asks you to do something like that, the word “yes” comes out before you even realize what is happening. The other awesome thing is that it is not at all emasculating, and is surprisingly quite enjoyable.
The speed at which the milestones pass is the reason I started my blog. I realized very early on that there was no way I would remember all of the amazing things that were happening around me, and I wanted to make sure to have something to look back on.
The best part is that what started as a way for me to share my personal stories has since evolved into a place where I can talk about inspiring people, dreams and I also get to contribute to the conversation about the evolving role of Fatherhood. And that to me, is immeasurable.
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This article first appeared on www.maybebaby.sg/blog/, as part of my regular monthly contribution to the website.
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8 comments :
I agree with you. I think most of us start our blog the same way as you. The day when we grow old and when dementia sets in, the blog, if it still exists, would be the best thing we had done in remembering our kids' childhood days.
Hahaha... I never thought about dementia before... but now that you mention it, it can be a very true scenario indeed!
I get emo too and sometimes I think if I suddenly die, at least my girl would have a place to look back on and see the memories of us together :P
Ai @ Sakura Haruka
I often look back on my blog with my girl as I tell her what I write about her and how much she's grown. I'm glad I started blogging and hopefully will not give it up.
I believe your blog is your "other" child (it is my 5th :p )
To see him\her grow together with my family, to see our blog capture our memories and milestones.
My blog has turn from a hobby into my passion. A family project where everyone has a role to play :)
Keep blogging yeah !
cheers, Andy (SengkangBabies)
Hi Ai,
Yes, exactly! I have the same thoughts before! :p
Hi Susan,
My boys have already started reading the past entries which wrote about them when they were babies. They treat it as their bedtime reading materials now. Haha.
Hi Andy,
Ya man, now the whole family can join in to take photos/videos for the blog already. Haha... yup, I'll definitely keep blogging for as long as the passion remains. :)
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