My first memory of my son Mannus arriving into this world was him being held by my wife, while I was bawling my eyes out! That moment was indescribable, completely overwhelming. I felt like my whole body was dancing from my toes to my scalp. When we drove home from the hospital, I felt so proud and protective of my new family, and just a little exhausted!
I realised what an important job I had when we bathed Mannus for the first time. He didn’t take his eyes off us for one minute. He watched us constantly, with a curious little look on his face and his tiny fists clenched. I had to be the best dad I could possibly be – he would always be looking up to me.
On a Monday, I get to have Mannus all to myself, while mum goes to work. This day together is great – it’s allowed us to bond a little quicker, I get to see just how quickly he’s growing, and it gives my wife a chance to be someone outside of always being a mummy. Monday is our day for making up songs, or dancing around the lounge room to catchy tunes from the eighties. We read Little Golden Books and Dr Suess. One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish Blue Fish is our favourite. I can remember my dad reading that to me.
When I was a child I wanted to be confident like my father. I remember working with Dad on the farm, driving around in the truck; he’d have his favourite terry towelling hat on and his flannie shirt, and he’d look at me with his ready grin. My father always praised me when I tried something for the first time; different foods, going to new places, exploring the world, making new friends and learning as much as I could. I’ll encourage Mannus to express himself, challenge him, and give him as many opportunities as I can. I’d love to take Mannus to Ireland, to show him where his name comes from and visit the house where his great, great, great, great, great grandfather was born, which is still standing today, and still in the family. I think this would give him a greater sense of where he comes from
I don’t miss anything from before I was a dad. This is the new phase of my life, there’s new interests and excitements, it’s like having a dog, but sooo much better (my wife won’t let me edit this sentence out!)! I am most proud of being a daddy when we’re walking through crowds together and the old ladies stop to squeeze his cheeks and say “oooooh, you’re such a beautiful little boy!” I’ve happily traded footy on Saturdays and Friday night drinks for peekaboos, playing ‘aeroplanes’, and singing silly songs. But I wouldn’t mind a Sunday morning sleep in!
This father’s day, my first father’s day, I want Mannus to make me breakfast in bed! But I’ll settle for a cup of tea that mum will make instead, that will probably be luke warm by the time I get to drinking it. And for all the times I get up in the night, change his bottom, put his dummy back in, give him his dream feeds, laugh at his tantrums, deal with mum’s tantrums (!), wake at 5am each day, and for the fact that I cherish the little man that’s come into my life, I know I deserve it.