Parenting can often make me feel like I’m not measuring up, especially when I see the incredible moms in my life. With my partner and our caregiver, I often feel surrounded by superhuman levels of care. There have certainly been moments in my fatherhood journey where I’ve dropped the ball—like forgetting to pack baby essentials—but I’ve learned to take it in stride. Yet, there have also been occasions where I can proudly say I didn’t completely fail as a dad. Here are six of those moments.
1. Mastering the Milk Bottle
The first time I successfully warmed a bottle of milk, I was over the moon. In those initial days at home, I struggled to find that sweet spot—either it was too cold or scalding hot. But during that midnight feeding, when I perfectly heated the milk to just the right temperature, I felt like a parenting pro.
2. Dressing My Daughter Properly
I still remember the victory of taking my daughter out fully clothed—pants included! It’s a simple win, but after many times of forgetting, I can proudly say I was on top of it that day. Yes, parenting can scramble your brain, but I ensured my little one was warm and ready for anything the weather could throw at us.
3. Solo Night Duty
When my partner went out for a well-deserved night with her friends, I stepped up to babysit. Not a single thing broke, my daughter remained safe, and there were no emergency calls made to the fire department. I’d say I handled that night like a champ.
4. Introducing Her to Great Music
I made it my mission to expose my daughter to quality music, starting with Otis Redding. I envision a household filled with good tunes and an appreciation for the classics. There’s no room for bubblegum pop in our home; it’s all about fostering an ear for the finer things in life.
5. Navigating the Car Safely
The first time I drove with my daughter in the back seat was nerve-wracking. I felt an overwhelming sense of protectiveness and was ready to unleash my inner road rage on any driver who dared come too close. But despite my anxiety, I managed to navigate us home safely, and that felt like a big win.
6. Waking Up First
It’s not often that I beat my partner to the baby monitor when our daughter wakes up, but those moments when I do feel like a tiny victory. I sometimes want to nudge her awake just to boast about my early rise, but I know better. After all, she deserves her rest, and it’s all about teamwork in parenting.
Overall, I feel I’m doing alright as a dad. My daughter is thriving, our home is still standing, and she’s learning to appreciate good music while mostly being dressed when we step out. They say fatherhood is all about accepting imperfections and striving to improve, so I think I’m on the right track.
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Summary
: This article highlights six moments in fatherhood where the author felt he succeeded, from mastering bottle warming to safely navigating car rides. Embracing imperfections and recognizing small victories can contribute to a positive parenting experience.