Brilliant dad feature week 72
This week our brilliant dad feature is Rob. He is a 32 year old software engineer from Gloucester and he builds websites. In his spare time is one of the narrators for Bedtime FM’s Story Time, a podcast dedicated to delivering short and unique children’s stories. It’s a fantastic podcast and really worth checking it out. He also blogs Everything the Kid. Thank you to Rob for taking part.
1. Have you always wanted to be a dad?
No. It was never really at the forefront of my mind, I was always to busy with my career, and enjoying life and relationships. It wasn’t until I met Mariandi that something in me turned on and that the thought of having children became something I was comfortable with. Not that it stopped me from be speechless and overwhelmed when Mariandi broke the news to me in 2013 that we would be expecting our first.
2. How did you feel when your children were born?
Our first was a long and exhausting process, I can only imagine how Mariandi felt, given I was completely drained from a long day at work, then being in the hospital all night awake 36 hours before he was born. I was lethargic and somewhat emotional, but when Mariandi was told to start pushing I regained some energy from somewhere.
To see him pulled from the birthing pool was the most amazing thing I had ever experienced, I felt a strong tug of many emotions, pride, panic, fear, love, and delight, I was revelling and taking photos until I was pushed aside by the midwife and my seconds old son was rushed away. He hadn’t started breathing by himself. I was scared.
Thankfully, before the paediatrician had even arrived, my son had begun to breath and he was brought to us and we could all relax and breath a sigh of relief,
Our second was a much more enjoyable experience. Mariandi had been uncomfortable for several hours but managed to sleep. By the morning we knew she was ready as the discomfort have grown substantially. We arrived at the hospital at 9am by 10am he was born. They didn’t even have time to fill the birthing pool. I can say for me this was a relief after gearing myself up for another marathon event. It was so different it was much easier to enjoy and as a result I was excited and buzzing.
3. What have been your most rewarding experiences so far as a Dad?
Poopy nappies! Joke. It has definitely be teaching them the small things, and seeing them develop. I’m constantly amazed at how quickly they learn. Our 9 month old is weeks away from walking, the toddler is speaking in longer sentences, picking up on sayings and colloquialisms, and using them in the correct contexts.
4. What are some of funniest moments to have happened to you as a dad?
I can’t think of any moments that are stand out funny, but our eldest is always making us laugh. If its not saying things like “Oh come on already” and “Keep your hair on”, its by singing silly songs that he’s making up as he goes along. I can’t possibly think where he may have learned that talent.
5. Have there been any situations with your children that you have found difficult to cope with?
Constantly. They are only 1 and a half year apart, so they can play on each other. Its at times when they are both screeching and crying, neither allowing us to calm them down that can be very hard to cope with. We’ve had a few instances of breakdowns in public places like Ikea, which I have dealt with in a controlled way, but its still hard when you have a crying toddler on a time out in a shop and people walk past with the expression of “Oh poor dear, what is that man doing to him. Should I call the police”.
6. What are your dreams and hopes for your children?
It’s simple. That they grow up following their hopes and dream and always reach the goals they set for themselves. As I’ve grown up I feel I have become restricted by society norms and expectactions culminating in mild social anxiety and I feel that I’m a less achieving individual for it. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t want them to grow up reckless and incautious, but I don’t want them to feel the same confines I have felt.
