I'm not a Babysitter

The grouping of Dads together supporting each other is something that I have always found difficult. If you knew me well then you know that I am not a Mans man; I have, for some reason, always got on better with Women and have always found it difficult to connect with men. 

I know many Dads who work hard, try hard and do everything in their power to be the best Dad that they can be. But at times the world still sees us Dads as being separate to Mum’s, I have even heard Dads themselves belittle their role.

There is a wonderful t-shirt going round that I have ordered with the writing “Dads don’t babysit” it is something that has struck a nerve and has brought me to writing this post.

I am, quite frankly, fed up with Dads being called Babysitters. 

Every dad in every way is a father and one that has a massive impact on their children’s lives. If you have followed my blog or come across a post that I published before Christmas called 'Where's your Mummy?' you would know how much I hate and detest the idea that us Dads are something less in relation to their children.

But let’s hold on a second; there are still massive social barriers between Mums and Dads.

But I wanted to write something here to break some of that down as well as put the fact that I am called a Babysitter, by some, aside.

I am much more because I am a Dad:

• I am the person that my sons come to when they are sad and want a cuddle.
• I am the one who kisses and cuddles them when they have hurt themselves.
• I am the one who goes on adventures in the countryside with them.
• I educate and entrust them with knowledge.
• I kiss and cuddle them good night and tuck them in.
• I play, fight, laugh, cry and get messy with them.
• I cook, clean and take care of them emotionally and physically.
• I am here and always be there for them in every way.
• I am the one that the scream at because they hate me.
• I am the one that is unfair because I won’t let them do activities that they may want to do.

Ultimately this list could go on and on because being a Dad is so much more! It does sadden me at times when I see men walk away from their families and responsibilities and stop having a role in their children’s lives. But it saddens me more when Dads themselves refer their duties as less than a Mum. We, as a society, have already got many barriers put into place that make it difficult to play the “correct” part we don’t need to put any more barriers in place.

If you’re lucky enough to have a fabulous partner that gets to go out then don’t say you’ll stay in and babysit for them, they’re your children. If you’re one of the fabulous Mums who gets to go out don’t then say that your other half is at home babysitting; they are doing far much more. And finally; if you’re a single parent don’t see your time with your children as a break away from their Mum see it as the role that you have to nurture and cherish the beautiful gifts that you have been given. Get on the floor and show the world, and more importantly your children, what a real Dad is.