Trusting Hubby With Our Kids

"Guys With Kids" on NBC - not since "Full House" has a show tried to bolster the image of dads in our culture.  Too bad it's been canceled.  Maybe American moms don't believe dads can do the job.

Maybe it wasn't sleazy enough for prime time t.v.

I am going to the store this evening, so that means hubby will be watching the children by himself for an hour or two.

When our kids were little, I would run around preparing sippy cups and snacks, laying out extra outfits and diapering supplies.  I'd give instructions to my hubby about what he was to do with them during the time I would be gone.

I was worried what might happen with our children while I was gone.  Not that they were in any danger.  That wasn't it.  I was worried that my dear husband wouldn't do things the way I do them.

Several years have passed and we've come to an understanding:  Daddies parent differently than mommies
and that's okay.

Mommy plans structured activities
Daddy lets them watch tv

Mommy gives them healthy snack
Daddy forgets to give them a snack

Mommy changes the diaper as soon as it's dirty
Daddy lets a diaper reach full capacity, hanging at the toddler's knees, until it is changed.

You know what I'm talking about.

The fear is not that the children will be cared for.  
The fear is that mommy's reign will be sabotaged.

<Gasp!  Did I actually say that?  You bet I did!>

Your absolute control will be forgotten and couch cushions will be jumped on.
Teeth might not be brushed before bed.
Children might wear mismatched pajamas.

And that's okay.

Did you know that children benefit from having both parents exercise their parenting skills?
Did you know that your little boy learns to be a daddy by...watching his daddy do the daddy thing?

When we were kids, I remember making milkshakes with my dad when my mom ran errands.  Big, thick vanilla milkshakes.  It wasn't until I was in my twenties that I found out raw eggs weren't a usual ingredient in milk shakes.  My dad always threw a couple in the mix because that's what he thought went into milkshakes.  We loved the shakes.  We didn't die from salmonella poisoning.  We had quality time with our dad.  And here I am, age 34, still remembering our fun times making milkshakes together.

Let dads be dads.
Back off once in a while and watch him work.

You'll be amazed at what he can do - even if he does it differently, he will still get the job done.

Check out this video of Guys with Kids calming an infant.  Dad style!