Brilliant Dad Feature Week 113 

This week our Brilliant Dad feature is Rich who blogs at Daddy And The Poo Monster. He is new to the game of parenting (and he says what a remarkable game it is!). He is a new dad to a cracking baby boy of 7 months.

His blog includes an honest account of how he is finding parenting whilst working full time and trying desperately to maintain his sanity. He is loving being a parent and is so proud of his wife and The Poo Monster. He is currently functioning at about 30% due to severe sleep deprivation. This has made teaching (his profession) an interesting prospect lately .

Thank you very much to Rich for taking part.

1. Have you always wanted to be a dad?

Ooooh straight in at the deep end! Truth be told I was ready to have a baby (or at least I thought I was) before the wife. I have always seen my future with children around me. Before The Poo Monster emerged I saw 3 children in my future. In hindsight, I may have misjudged how hard it is to be a dad!

I have a huge respect for anyone who raises a child single handed. You guys are real heroes. I’m waffling now. YES! Yes is the answer. When I turned 30 I became truly ‘ready’ and was delighted that my boy came along two years later. I am truly blessed!

2. How did you feel when your children were born? 

I’m sure most people answer the same to this and say they cannot find the words. I literally cannot think of a single word to describe the feeling of becoming a dad. It was completely overwhelming. I cried more than he did and just kept repeating “He’s Perfect!” in a voice that wasn’t my own, to my wife who was totally spaced out and barely knew her own name!

3. What have been the most rewarding experiences been so far? 

As I said I’m new to the sport of dadding. So far I have to say the best moments are when I come in from work and he smiles at me. My heart grows five times the size when I see that grin that means ‘Daddy’s Home’. He is starting to become very interactive and I’m clearly one of his favourites which I love! I also love the fact he is my double, ‘ the poor bugger’. It is also very rewarding when me and the wife just look at him and say “look what we made!”

4. What are some of funniest moments to have happened to you as a dad?

I think scooping a bath-snake type poo out of the bath water was a particular highlight. Also I picked him up to carry him to the bath and he peed everywhere without me realising, The wife was less than impressed when she found the trail! I find myself laughing at him when he finds things hilarious, such as sellotape being peeled and also a snowman toy headering a frog which hangs from his jumperoo. This is apparently the best thing in the world!

5. Have there been any situations with your children that you found difficult to cope with?

Sleeping is currently an absolute nightmare. Last night was a good night and he was up 7 times and the longest block of sleep I got was 2 hours. This is causing a lot of sleep deprivation for me and the wife at the moment. We are diligently reading and acting on any advice anyone has to help the situation. I’m confident that we will make it work, but man is it hard going at the minute!

6. What are your dreams and hopes for your children? 

I honestly just want him to grow up to be a decent, honest human with a conscience and awareness of the wider world. I really hope he is not consumed by the technological world (I see many children through my job who are desensitised due to information overload!). I wish for him to be happy, secure and to lead a fulfilling life. I hope he wants to tell me all about it when I’m an old codger.