Brilliant Dad Feature Week 117 

This week our brilliant dad feature is Dan. He is 29 years old and lives in Kent UK. He is married to Poppy and a father to two children, Taormina who is two years old and Wolfie who is six months old . He says they love animals, travelling and are a vegan family. He blogs at Dans the Word which is a blog on a father’s perspective of life and parenting. Dan and his wife also post a weekly family vlogs on family adventures.

Thank you very much to Dan for taking part.

1. Have you always wanted to be a dad?

No, definitely not. Before we had my eldest who is now 3 next month, my wife said she wanted to try for a baby. It took a long time to get my head round that as it wasn’t something I had thought about at all. At the time, I was into going out, partying and work, work, work. I definitely wanted to be a dad again before having our 2nd who is now 6 months old.

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

The feeling is a type of love and protection that I find very hard to describe but is so strong and unique. The second you lay eyes on your child, the feeling just hits you. I had this feeling with both my children but it was more memorable with my first because the experience was new.

3. What have been your most rewarding experiences so far as a dad?

I think the ultimate reward is witnessing development – starting to say things, crawling, swimming, putting long sentences together. I am very much enjoying my youngest at the moment who is growing up too quickly but I think also seeing my children happy is very rewarding. For example when I watch my daughter dance, she is so happy it makes me happier than anything.

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

One memorable funny (and gross) moment was when my daughter was a couple of months old, we were at a shopping centre and she had a poo explosion and I didn’t know for a while because I was walking holding her. It was all down my top! No wonder people were looking at me. I had to go to H&M and buy a new top!

5. Have there been any situations You have found hard to cope with as a dad?

There are too many hard situations to list. Being a parent is tough, both physically and mentally. I used to drink a fair bit of alcohol prior to having children and kept up the habit once my first was born, but I knew I had to stop. After a couple months old I completely stopped drinking alcohol and haven’t since and won’t again. I also find there is so little time for me and the wife. It is difficult at the moment because we have a young baby and a VERY demanding toddler but I try and cope with the current situation knowing that it is a matter of time when will have a little time together. Man, I miss going to the cinema with my wife!!!!!

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

I want my children to be able to think for themselves and not what society tells them to. If my boy wants the pink toy, then so be it. If my daughter wants the tractor top and not the fairy one, then so be it. I want them to be able to dream and work towards achieving their goals. I certainly won’t be holding them back.