Brillant dad feature week 2
Our second brilliant dad feature is Diary of a Dad
Hi, I blog at Diary Of A Dad. I’m a working father of two girls. One is three years old and the other is 16 months. I’m fiancee to the amazing mother of my children and blogger at www.diaryofadad.com.
1. Have you always wanted to be a dad?
Truthfully no. I always saw myself as a one man band. I had no interest in marriage or kids, but I was 21 when me and my girlfriend (now fiancee) fell pregnant.
Although it wasn’t part of my life plan it was now part of my life and my own dad, to this day, will always do anything and everything in his power to ensure the best for his family, and I guess I had the best teacher because I’ve definitely inherited those values and realise now that being a dad isn’t a chore, it’s a gift that keeps on giving.
2. How did you feel when your children were born?
Overwhelmed. When my first child was born it was the most amazing feeling in the world.
I remember for the first time in my life I shed tears because I was so happy and proud. Seeing your child for the first time flicks a switch inside of you that you don’t even know exists. For the first time in my life I was responsible for another life, and although that’s a scary thought it fills you with so much pride and excitement for the future and really does give new purpose and meaning to life.
3. What have been the most rewarding experiences been so far?
There’s so many! We all measure our kids with certain milestones that they reach such as the first word, the first tooth, the first step etc, but I think in terms of rewarding experiences every day my kids have been alive they have enriched my life and rewarded me. I think watching my girls play together is one thing that really gives me a rewarding feeling.
4. What are some of funniest moments to have happened to you as a dad?
My fiancee would say when I was pooped on by the youngest whilst trying to change her, I don’t think she’s ever laughed as hard. I believe as a parent you spend an awful lot of time arguing with your kids, trying to get them to behave (especially toddlers) and can sometimes forget that they are great and do make you laugh not just shout. I find it funny when my three year old says certain things. At her age children have no concept of being rude or inappropriate and their innocence just makes certain things they say hilarious.
5. Have there been any situations with your children that you found difficult to cope with?
All the time! What’s the right way to deal with a toddler tantrum? How do you get a child to eat her vegetables? Parenting is full of challenges and there’s no manual, you just have to try your best to cope and get through the tough times. The important thing is to remember that you can’t really make mistakes so do what you think is right.
6. What are your dreams and hopes for your children?
Every parent would love to see their kids become doctors or lawyers, myself included, but the thing I care most about is that they grow up to be happy, polite and respectful. In terms of careers, yes I’d love them to be high earners, but if that’s not what they want then that’s fine. I just want them to try their best to achieve all they want to achieve and to have no regrets.
Thank you for Diary of a Dad sharing his story with us.
1 Comments
Ashley Beolens
March 6, 2015 at 8:39 am
I love reading these brilliant dad features, it's wonderful to see how other dads respond to the same questions. I think it is amazing how kids change our lives in ways we'd never expect.