chicagodads

(Caveat lector: if you can use the latrine before you walk a mile in the Chicago snow and stop over at the store on the way home, maybe you should exercise that option.)

Second in a multi-part series:

I think I figured what our [men’s] problem is: We men haven’t had adequate practice in child-rearing.

Girls baby-sit while boys never consider changing a diaper, let alone watching a child for more than a few minutes at a time. I have had many male friends who have made a living watching entire houses – virtual castles for that matter – for weeks and months on end. They will watch and feed and groom pets. Heck, they will style the mess out of your hair or design the most intricate home interiors. But babies? They would rather give a pedicure to a poodle and wear a mesh top. A man who watches children? Not even remotely considered! The only men who enjoy being around babies are pedophiles. No sane male watches a baby unless they are the father or older brother (and the older sisters are indisposed. And by “indisposed” I mean, “dead” or “non-existent”. There is no other excuse for their negligence!).

Or so that’s the popular perception, spoken or - most-likely - not. It’s the silent rule and it’s silently killing fatherhood.