Brilliant dad feature week 84
This week our brilliant dad is Danny. He is 31-years-old and lives in not so sunny County Durham with his wife and daughter, 20-month-old, Ayla.
He started writing a blog as he wanted to document his progress as a first time dad and give Ayla something to look back on later in life. He also says it’s great to collaborate and work with other dads. Check out his blog, How to Daddoo. You won’t be disappointed, he’s a fantastic new dad blogger. Thank you to Dan for taking part in the brilliant dad feature.
1. Have you always wanted to be a Dad?
Not really, I always had quite a negative attitude toward the whole idea. You know the usual things that go on in a young lads head. It’s not that I didn’t want to be a dad, I just had a very negative view of “getting a girl up the duff”, but when that’s girl’s your wife it’s a different matter.
2. How did you feel when your children were born?
It was the strangest feeling. As soon as I saw our daughter, I was overcome with emotion and cried like a baby. Throughout the pregnancy I definitely got in touch with my softer side, but I wasn’t prepared for how much love I’d feel for this little person I’d never held a conversation with, and how very proud I felt of my wife.
3. What have been your most rewarding experiences so far as a Dad
As Ayla is now 19-months, she is beginning to show her little character. Don’t get me wrong, the milestones she reaches make me feel so proud, but if I’m honest the most rewarding part is the fun we’re constantly having together. The little in-jokes, funny face competitions and the general feeling we’re cut from the same cloth.
4. What are some of your funniest moments to have happened to you as a Dad?
The funniest moments are generally during ‘quiet time’ trying to get my daughter off to the land of nod. Mummy usually has to come and have words (with both of us) for giggling, singing songs and playing Cats which entails trying to lick each other’s face without getting licked by the other.
5. Have there been any situations with your children that you have found difficult to cope with
When we found out we were expecting, we had a few concerns about some hereditary conditions. I was born with a rare genetic disorder known as Simpson-Golabi-Behmel syndrome. Due to this we had geneticist appointments, heart scans, growth scans and a few unexpected visits to hospital. Thankfully, Ayla was born with a full bill of health, but I did find it difficult to deal with the possibility that she may face some of the same hurdles I did as a child. I do wish she was born with six fingers though, it’s a great icebreaker at parties.
6. What are your dreams and hopes for your children?
Ayla makes me laugh everyday which makes me think she’ll be a comedienne like her Great-Great-Grandmother was around North East social clubs. I’ve also thought Ayla will be a strength athlete of some sort. Much to the chagrin of the females in the family who want Ayla to be a girly girl. She does possess superhuman strength for her age though and she showed a strange interest in watching every day of the World’s Strongest Man 2015 on TV. At the end of the day, as long is Ayla is happy that’s good enough for me though. I know she’ll do something great, whatever she chooses.
