Brilliant dad feature week 37

November 6, 2015

Today’s Brilliant Dad Feature is Dan. Dan blogs at One Man and His Sprog. Dan left the corporate world of work to become a full-time stay-at-home dad and toddler wrangler.

1. Have you always wanted to be a dad?

Having children had always been one of those things I’d assume would happen, but it wasn’t something I thought about much in my twenties. Once I’d met my wife, starting a family quickly became part of our plan.

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

The birth of Tilly was a reasonably long haul so there was an initial mix of jubilation and exhaustion. Despite having read the books and attended the pre-natal courses there was still a feeling of “what the hell are we doing” when Tilly came along. Happily though, we seem to have got the hang of it with practice!

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

As a stay-at-home dad I feel the responsibility of transforming a stroppy toddler into a well-rounded little person weigh heavy on my shoulders. The latest success on this long road is Tilly’s desire to make friends at the playground. Seeing Tilly sat with a little friend, sharing snacks and running around is not only incredibly cute, it shows that she’s on the cusp of being ready to properly play and interact with other children, which is going to be a massive jump forward.

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

Having Tilly shout “I want to touch your nipples, Daddy” increasingly loudly during a visit to the local swimming pool has got to be up there. The fact we haven’t yet been back to that particular leisure centre is entirely coincidental, I can assure you.

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

For the past two years my wife and I have got by on what feels like the minimum of sleep needed to function. We’re always woken before 6am it’s often as not coupled with a disturbed night’s sleep too. It makes every day that bit harder and challenges tougher to manage and overcome.

Tilly is an excellent example of a strong-willed little girl who knows her mind and as with many toddlers expects things to work in a very certain way. She shows enormous potential but each day can feel like tiptoeing through a minefield, where the most innocuous action can blow up into a tantrum.

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

While we’d like Tilly to pass her 11 plus, get into grammar school, a good university and a prosperous career, nurturing a child makes you realise there’s a lot more to life than just that. She already shows signs of being a loving, caring, interesting and articulate individual who knows her own mind. I’d love her to take all of these into adulthood and find happiness in whatever path she chooses.