Brilliant Dad Feature
This is the first of a new feature on my blog called ‘Brilliant Dad Feature’. Every week I will feature a different dad talking about their experiences of parenthood.
First up is Ryan, dad of two. Ryan blogs at Dad Creek Without a Paddle.
1. Have you always wanted to be a dad?
Yes. I’ve always known that I would want to have a family once I had found the right person and was at the right stage in life. Now I am a Dad, I think I would tell people that the right time in life doesn’t actually exist. You can never prepare for Fatherhood but the feelings the experience provides and the way it changes you as an individual is comparable to nothing else.
2. How did you feel when your children were born?
Incredibly emotional. I was present for the birth of both of my children and wept like I had just been handed everything the world had to offer all at one time. Watching your child take their first breath and enter this world is an indescribable feeling. A feeling I have tried to put in words several times and not even been able to come close.
3. What have been the most rewarding experiences been so far?
Every day is educational for them and for me. I love watching my children experience something for the first time – a new food, stepping on grass barefoot, or realising they have fingers and toes that move. It’s a privilege to rediscover the world through the eyes of someone else. It sounds cliche but every day has it’s rewarding moments. Something I’m very proud of though is the bond that I have developed with my daughter. We went through a difficult patch early on and she would never settle for me – wouldn’t let me feed or hold her and only wanted her Mother. That was frustrating for a couple of months, but now she’s almost 8 months old and the way her face lights up every time she sees me is the best reward I could have for being patient with her and persevering.
4. What are some of funniest moments to have happened to you as a dad?
Children really can be hilarious, but the best moments are when they’re helpless babies and don’t know they’re creating comedy gold for your memory bank. Our first born peed all up the hospital wall at his first visit back for a check up. He also peed all over holy ground midway through a dramatic change at Fatima in Portugal (one of the most important religious sites in the World for Catholics). That same child soaked me with pee at his first photo shoot too – are you noticing a pattern here? Another cringe worthy moment was after he realised that he could pull himself to his feet. We were on a flight across Europe and he hoisted himself up to tug away at the hair of a gentleman in front. The poor guy was having his head pulled all over the place and was politely pretending not to notice that he had been made a full size puppet.
5. Have there been any situations with your children that you found difficult to cope with?
The birth of our second child was by emergency c-section and that made life a little more challenging. We already had a 1 year old at home, and the operation ruled my wife out of action for a few weeks. On top of that, I struggled to gain my daughters trust for quite some time and I really didn’t know why. The difficult moments are the ones we learn from though and are probably more important than the good times.
6. What are your dreams and hopes for your children?
Happiness. I want both of my children to grow up in a happy home, learning the importance of family and to lead happy lives of their own. I hope they have ambition and the drive and confidence to go out and make things happen. I dream of them being successful, happy and being able to look back and be proud of their parents for helping shape their character in a positive way.
Thank you to Ryan for sharing his story.
4 Comments
Ashley Beolens
February 27, 2015 at 7:28 pm
Excellent stuff, it's really interesting to read about other dads experiences, so often all we see are mums experiences (dads don't talk enough).
Martyn Kitney
February 28, 2015 at 1:29 pm
Great post! It's always good to get to know others. As well as to hear dad's talk about their experiences. Major reason why I supported the dad network. Often over looked the dad's view. Thanks for linking up with us on the #bigfatlinky look forward to future ones!
Al Ferguson
March 1, 2015 at 10:22 am
Nice to meet you Ryan! And what a great idea. Thanks for linking up! #bigfatlinky
International Elf Service
March 1, 2015 at 9:30 pm
Oh I loved reading this! Really interesting to hear from a dad's point of view. Thank you for posting! x