BFF: Let's Not Talk About Motherhood for a Change...

On to this week's....but, wait, I have to make a little change, just for this week:

Because this week's BFF is Ian from the Daily Dose of Reality.  You may already know him as the host of Monday Minute or the organizer for Mission Monkey.  While he's kind of a rarity in some of our "blog circles," being a guy, he's definitely one that I always feel like I can talk to- as evidenced by the countless emails that we shoot back-and-forth on a regular basis. I consider him to be a true friend.

We often hear about motherhood on blogs, but today, Ian is sharing his views on fatherhood.  

Hello, this is Ian from the Daily Dose of Reality or DDoR or whatever you would like to call me.  I labored over what to post about every since Shell said she wanted to feature me.  First off, I want to thank Shell for giving me the opportunity to write anything on her blog, much less being a BFF.  All of her prior BFFs she's known a heck of alot longer than I(Shell's note- this is not true. BFF is not determined by length of time I've known a blogger) so when I say this is a special nod, I really mean it.  So off to what I'd like to write about.


Fatherhood.


Fatherhood is rarely mentioned around these parts as most of you are women.  Well, duh.  I don't mind being among a sea of women.  I have three step sisters, and two half sisters.  To say I am inundated with women in my life is an understatement.  Heck, that might explain these mood swings.  Kidding.  Everyone knows guys have PMS too. 


I am the father to Mr. C.  Mr. C is my four year old phenom.  When the wife and I were trying to get pregnant, I always was scared in the back of my mind that whatever child I bore, he/she would be a hellion.  I was just that growing up.  Not that I was bad, but I still have ADHD, and back when I was a kid it was awful.  I couldn't sit still for two seconds.  Destruction and bad grades were the norm and I was fearing that would happen, but I was prepared.  One of the things I still can't do is read "long" posts so I'll try and keep this short.  That and my thoughts are always all over the place so keep up.  Or try to at least :)


Fortunately none of that happened, and let me take you back before Mr. C was born for a minute.  The wife and I tried IUIs, and IVF and after four grueling years of trying, Mr. C was born.  I could not be happier to be a father.  The wife and I both work and Mr. C goes to daycare, a school-like environment where he thrives.  We work with him all the time, the constant learning process.  Given the fact that he loves to read and learn, we try our best to enhance his learning.


He's tested once a year on his reading and comprehension skills and consistently scores 12-16 months ahead of his age.  Where he got that I have no idea.  I am so proud of him let me tell you.


I would rather come home and spend time with him at nights and go nowhere other than to be with him and the wife on the weekends.  Not to say we don't get together with family or friends, but he's all we got.  Infertility has prevented us from having another so we treasure our son.  We have never been on vacation without him and he's stayed over the inlaws only a handful of times.  We don't spoil nor shelter him but he's the light of our eyes, our favorite person in the world and we wouldn't have it any other way.


So let me tie this back to Fatherhood.  So many times in real life and hearing stories of fathers not being there enough or ignoring their wives or kids.  That makes me sick.  In our house we split everything down the middle.  No matter what the chore the wife or I do it.  Laundry, cleaning, you name it.  It gets done together.  And when it comes to Mr C., we always do things together, all three of us.


This fall he will start soccer, his first organized sport.  The wife the other day asked me if I wanted to be a coach and tears rolled down my eyes.  I told her I can't only because I have no idea what to do, but rest assured next year, and every year after that I will coach him to victory.  For he is my son, and I will always be there for him in each and every way.  I am the proudest father on the planet and he's MY BFF.


Thank you Shell for letting me share my story of Fatherhood!

Please leave some comment love here for Ian and then go follow his blog if you don't already!