About Sweetmama Editor
Nadine Silverthorne’s love of journaling began in Grade One with the entry, “I am the greatest dancer!” Two babies (and countless diaper changes) later, she has found her home away from home as editor of SweetMama. Don’t miss her humorous bi-weekly accounts of the joys and pains of working while raising them fabulous.
What Makes a Great Dad?
silver spoons canada
(Nov.23.09)
Whether you celebrate them religiously, or just kinda sorta, the holidays are all about shopping family and friends. So far we've covered gift ideas for the kids and their teachers/caregivers, but today the focus is on presents for Dad. Which got me thinking -- what makes a good dad?
Here are the five things I think make today's dads (especially my kids' dad) the best in history:
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1. Their desire to be involved.
Today's fathers don't want to sit on the sidelines. They want an active role in the raising of their children. They change diapers, they kiss booboos, they prepare rice cereal (sometimes even with pre-pumped breastmilk!).
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2. Their ability to immerse themselves in play. He doesn't just play "dragons" -- he IS the dragon. A father's ability to teach through play is one of his greatest gifts. Whenever I deal with kid conflict through over-analytical discussion, my husband steps in to diffuse the situation by diverting young attentions to something fun. I love him for that.
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3. Their great sense of humour. My husband once caught an unexpected toddler poop mid-air at bathtime (I was freaking out when I saw my child's "poop face" and he came running to the rescue). Then he turned to me and said, "Talk about taking one for the team." A partner who can make a crazed, exhausted mom laugh on this road called parenthood is a valuable asset indeed.
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4. Someone who doesn't keep score. I recently read a quote that said, "Every horse thinks his load the heaviest." Sometimes it's inevitable that a couple will play the "Who does more?" game. But a partner who values your contributions to the family (regardless of whether you work or stay at home) is worth his weight in chocolate.
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5. Someone who encourages without pushing too hard. My husband gets us out of the house to take walks, convinces us all we can do and be anything we want... when life gives us adversity, he is our strongest cheerleader. Then, if we still really, REALLY want to quit, he lets us and buys us ice cream.
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Even if the horrible happens and our marriage doesn't survive parenthood (hey, it could happen to anyone), I know my kids will be OK because they have a fantastic father. (I love you J!)
What do you think makes a good dad?