One of the few things they tell you about becoming a parent is just how happy it can make you. Like, for instance, right now in-between feeding the baby, writing this and clapping my hands (or, pandies as they are now known for reasons unknown) I have been smiling. A big happy smile that’s almost childlike itself. Nothing else has the potential to make me feel this way.
It’s not the passing feel-good factor you get from watching this or even this it’s more than that and even better it’s unique to me. It’s mine, she’s mine there is nothing that can compare to the fun I’m having now watching her slowly and piece by piece destroy our kitchen. I’m not really bothered about the small pile of macaroni cheese on the floor or the pool of water now sneaking its way toward the plug socket (I will be when it’s a bit closer don’t worry.) because right now my daughter is happy.
It’s this they don’t tell you at the ante-natal classes or at the hospital, and I’m not sure why because all the other stuff is just details. When your child is happy so are you. Obviously, there are people for whom this isn’t true and that’s very sad, but this isn’t a post about those people it’s about me. I’ve had how to put a nappy on lessons, how to bathe a baby lessons, how to feed a baby lessons, but not one person told me the big secret about being a dad and that is: it’s marvellous. I suppose it’d be dumb to have how to think and feel about your baby lessons, but still.
Of course, people say it’ll change your life, but nearly always with a ‘for the worse’ tone to their voice. Late nights, teething, crying for no reason, the first time they fall (my bad), the first time they do anything that remotely hurts you’re wracked with guilt but then that’s because what you want is for them to be happy. Because when they’re happy you are but you get the double expresso hit of being happy because they are happy and happy because you’re goal is to make them happy. It’s a big happy circle that keeps on giving you happy.
