Yesterday afternoon, I found myself alone with my two kids for a few hours, and let me tell you, it was a real eye-opener into the life of a single parent. Spoiler alert: it was tough.
When my partner finally came home, I put the baby down and reached for the bourbon. I’ll be honest; I was drinking to escape—to escape the chaos, the frantic hustle, and the endless crying. Just a few hours of solo parenting was enough to reinforce my commitment to our partnership for at least another decade. Thankfully, we’re not single parents, but with a newborn in the mix, my partner has been shouldering a lot of the workload. I know she must feel like a single parent at times, so I actively work to share responsibilities because I refuse to be a lazy dad stuck in outdated norms.
To the dads out there who aren’t doing their part—this message is for you!
I get it—#NotAllDads! And certainly, more fathers are stepping up than ever before, engaging more in parenting than previous generations. However, there are still some who could use a little push toward modern parenting values. (Trust me, I hear from their partners in the comments sections of my social media posts.)
It’s 2023—time to embrace equality and modern family dynamics. Dads who participate in parenting are not superheroes, so stop treating them like they are; those who don’t help out, however, are the real villains in this story.
I have a 3-month-old baby and a 5-year-old son, and we’re a team. My partner and I support each other, while the kids, well, they’re mostly just in the way. And by “support,” I mean we try to let each other catch a nap every now and then. And let’s be real; my partner needs more of those naps than I do, so I make an effort to facilitate that.
Babies require constant attention, and my little one demands food every few hours, even in the dead of night. For a breastfeeding mom, this can feel like an endless cycle of duty and exhaustion. It’s not easy being the primary source of nourishment and comfort for a baby, and all mothers need breaks. That’s where I step in.
While I can’t breastfeed our infant, I can certainly bottle-feed him so my partner can catch some Z’s or enjoy some much-deserved “me time.” If she’s exhausted, I say, “Don’t worry! I can handle the midnight feeding!” (And maybe sneak in some TV time.) When her friends invite her for a night out, I encourage her to go, assuring her I can manage the kids. If she craves a Saturday afternoon nap, I insist she take one.
Let’s face it—my kids may prefer their mom, and that’s okay. She’s their favorite parent for good reason (thanks biology!). But being her favorite partner is an easy role for us dads to fulfill. All we need to do is step up and share the load. It’s 2023, folks; let’s leave outdated gender roles in the past.
So, if you’re curious about enhancing your parenting journey, check out this useful blog on the home insemination kit and learn more about the emotional support services at the UCSF Center for Reproductive Health. For those considering intrauterine insemination, Hopkins Medicine is an excellent resource to explore.
Summary:
Dads, it’s high time to embrace your role in parenting and contribute equally. With modern challenges facing families, it’s essential for fathers to share the load, support their partners, and actively engage in their children’s lives. Let’s move past outdated stereotypes and recognize that parenting is a team effort.