Brilliant Dad Feature Week  87 

This week our brilliant dad is an awesome new blogger and dad. You can find him blogging  at The Unlikely Dad. Thank you very much for taking part.

1. Have you always wanted to be a dad? 

I can’t honestly say yes, but I also don’t think I ever really gave it much thought for it to be a ‘Yes’ or a ‘No. I really consider myself a late bloomer. I didn’t feel like ‘a man’ until i was about 26/27 shortly after I got married. We loved doing our own thing, taking trips here, there and everywhere and we also loved being uncles, but then I reached 30 and something did change, and it’s as simple as that really. I can’t explain what made me want a family, it just felt natural and that’s when we started the adoption journey.

2. How did you feel when you first met your child? 

It was of course a day I’ll never forget. My husband and I had gone through a 9 month process of meetings, assessments, training… and then what is called ‘matching’ where you (for the want of a better term) ‘find’ your child. For us it all happened so quickly, but having worked in adoption, I know it’s not always the case. We were sent a profile of a little 10 month old baby. We knew there and then we were looking at our son. It took four months since being chosen and then approved to be his dads. At 14 months old we knocked on the foster carers door (who he had been with since birth) and our lives changed forever. We only had a few pictures and videos of him to get us through those four months, but when he came crawling round the corner and we saw his face it was instant, all consuming love. There are no words to describe that feeling.

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

For me, being an adoptive dad, is creating a bond so tight with my son. I don’t think I was ever worried or concerned we wouldn’t to be honest. It wasn’t an option I had ever considered. I knew from the moment I saw his picture he was my boy. But looking back to the first few weeks/months compared to now (18 months in) the bond is there and it is incredible. When i think what he must’ve felt being taken away from somewhere he knew and loved into a house with, basically two strangers… I am overwhelmed at how amazing he was. Today, if he is clingy with me, I bloody love it!!

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

I literally feel everyday he makes us laugh out loud. The typical moment every dad/parent must have is when you give them a bit of air time to their bum (no nappy). My son will, without fail, do a poo on the floor. Even if he didn’t need one… he’ll just push one out. It’s gross (but equally hilarious). We’re starting potty training soon, I am terrified. He has such a wicked sense of humour and knows when he’s making everyone laugh, and he just gives you the eyes of ‘I know you’re watching me and I’m just going to play up even more!’

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

I don’t think we’ve found it difficult to cope with scary/serious things because that intuition/adrenaline kicks in where you just get on on and deal with it. But there have been situations that are scary for sure. When he’s ill he’ll sometimes wake in the night screaming or in pain. Its 3am and you are a zombie, but you have to be there for them 100%. It’s hard, but also comes natural if that makes sense. I think the more difficult things will be school and the growing pains on teenager life when he can answer us back in defiance!

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

To be happy. In everything he does, to everyone he meets. To live a full, adventurous life. That’s what I want for my boy. And if he decides to have children one day, to see him raise his babies will make me the happiest man on the planet.