DAD’S ROLES HAVE CHANGED

By

Gerry Niskern

“Wise is the father that knows his own child”-William Shakespeare

Economic conditions in our country are creating thousands of wise young fathers. While millions of jobs have disappeared for expectant dads, babies wait for no man!

Many moms have been lucky enough to keep their jobs. They get back to work as quickly as possible after childbirth and are now bringing home the bacon. Dads everywhere have stepped up to the plate and are learning how to diaper, burp, feed and soothe their newborns; what ever it takes.

One young dad I know says he remembered his football coach telling him to carry the ball “high and tight”. He found that worked very well with his tiny charge. “I placed the baby’s head in the palm of my hand and let the feet lay back toward the bend of my arm; no fumbling at our house.” Before long dads learn the difference between a wet diaper cry, a hungry cry, a need to burp cry or just a plain “I’m tired and sleepy cry”.

Of course, it’s a given that dads take pride in the burping skills of their newborn, not to mention the musical tooting. It takes them back to their boyhood and many contests.

. As you would expect, many first time daddies of newborns have turned to the numerous web sites to answer any question on baby care he might have.

These programs allow dads to track and time the diapering, feeding, sleeping, bath and whatever else they program.

Speaking of their reverse roles, one young mother told me,” my baby’s  papa is loving, but super cautious. He watches Sponge Bob with her in the mornings, gives her a bath with all her fishy toys, then its bottle and nap time. When I get home each day he tells me how their day went. The problems that they dealt with together, and the surprises he witnessed.  He talks about the events he can’t wait to experience with her.

There’s always the good, the bad and the ugly, and quite frequently in our home,

The adorable!”

HAPPY FATHER’S DAY