A friend of mine posted this link on Facebook recently, and reading it made me sad and angry – because everything in it is true, and because it needed to be written. What’s more, it doesn’t need to be aimed at Dads. I think there are just as many Moms out there who need to read it, too.
The people who made my husband angry by joking “Do you want ours?” when they found out his wife was pregnant.
The people who stand there in the video store ignoring the little child at their elbow going “Mom? Mom? Mom? Mom? Mom? Mom?”
My father never yelled at me because I asked him a question.
My mother never ignored me when I called her name.
Neither of them ever suggested that they might like to be rid of me, even for an evening.
I make a point of smiling into my baby’s face as much as possible.
Even when he’s screaming.
Even when he Just. Won’t. Sleep.
Even when it’s a diaper change filled with more than the usual quota of poop.
Because I want him to know that having him is a joy and caring for him is a joy.
Even when he’s screaming.
Even when he Just. Won’t. Sleep.
Even when it’s a diaper change filled with more than the usual quota of poop.
Because he is valuable. More valuable than the end of Holmes on Homes or the next chapter of my book or my dinner or even another hour of sleep.
And I want him to grow up knowing it.
