Brilliant dad feature week 82.

This week our brilliant dad feature is Martin Lee. He is a father of two and husband of one! As well as working and parenting, he also finds the time for scouting, gardening, cooking and he’s a Union Communications Officer, in addition to a Union Steward, and most recently blogging with Thedadnetwork.co.uk and running The Dad Network Local North Hampshire group. He likes to keep busy and offer his children every opportunity to explore the world around them.

Martin also blogs at father lee moments. Thank you to Martin for taking part in the feature 

1. Have you always wanted to be a dad?

 Yes, this has been the one consistent theme in my ever changing life goals! I have always been a family man, so creating my own family has always been a priority for me. My Dad was a huge influence on me, and I learnt a lot from him. Passing this knowledge down I believe is one of fatherhood’s great pleasures and privaliges.

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

When each of my children were born I cannot explain easily explain the emotions I went through. I am not a very emotive person and I hardly ever show emotion through tears. However for both I experienced fear, worry, exhaustion and euphoria all at the same time, which resulted in me crying uncontrollably. Becoming a dad  had always been a life goal, but the reality is having children makes you reasses your life goals. Now they are to raise my children to become good citizens.

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

All though my eldest is only 2.5 I feel an overwhelming sense of pride when people say ‘Oliver is always smiling he is such a happy child’ I know that of If I have a happy, healthy, well mannered 2 year old I’m getting it right!

The morning we woke up to the news that the UK voted to leave the European Union, as a remain supporter, I said to my son during our morning cuddles ‘ Its you a feel sorry for…it’s you that will have to put up with the consequence of it’ he replied while stroking my face ‘it doesn’t matter Daddy!’ whilst I know he had no clear understanding of the situation, he had a very clear understanding of my feelings. Empathy i believe is an important trait, and it was at this point I knew Oliver had it!

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

This is difficult to answer as one of the joys of having kids is through their eyes you see hilarity in situations you wouldn’t normaly! For example the trumping sound the spade being pulled out of a tray full of jelly during messy Play makes! Or a turtle on a tooth brush!.

This view of the world is infectious so we are always laughing with him about something. He has the ability to change a situation with his smile. On night he was not settling and was making a lot of noise crying and screaming. I went into his room angry and sleep deprived…when i opened his door he said to me for the first time ‘hello Daddy!’ my heart instantly melted and every last feeling of anger was sucked away from me! And the feeling of joy made me laugh (sending out the wrong message.

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

With my first born initially everything! Nothing could prepare me for the nappies, sleepless night’s, bottle every 4 hours! (how needy was this little peace wrecker!) However it didn’t take me long to adapt once my wife and I stopped listening too everyone’s opinions and started listening to our own common sense!

Even now it can be difficult and every day has its challenges, but as difficult as this can be it is also very rewarding.

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

I want my children to grow up to be good honest hardworking people and above all lead happy healthy lives! In the words of the first Chief Scout Lord Robert Baden-Powell ‘leave this world a little better than you found it’