[Godiva]

I tried to search to see if this has been asked before but it wasn't working so forgive me if this is a repeat.

I was curious how much time you dads spend with your dc and what do you do with them during that time? Also when your children were very young, did you view them as boring and so you wern't interested in spending time with them? Do you feel as though the baby stage is for moms and then you will play with them when they are "fun"? TIA for your opinions guys.

 

[muckemom]

At times I was nervous and didn't know what to do with DS. Getting overwhelmed was a daily occurence

It's not a matter of how much time I spent with him though, it's the quality of the time we spent together, KWIM? As long as you're able to show your love and affection, and to hold 'em and kiss 'em, you'll develop a bond with 'em. Plus, I'm the one spending hours at work so that DW can be an SAHM, which is the best care he can get!!!

It seems hard sometimes for me to sacrafice that much time away from DS and DW, but in the long run I know that I'm providing for them, and thats what makes it worth it, and makes me want to come home. At the end of the day, seeing there smile reassures me that I'm not "absent" in their lives.

(BTW - signed on under DW's signature)

 

[Moose]

I have always known I was going to be a father and I promised myself to be the best father I could be. My Dad left me and my brother when I was 5 and he was 2. I have not seen or heard from him since. So that really shaped my outlook on fatherhood.

I have the luck of being a SAHD during the day and working evenings and weekends. So I am the primary caregiver to my two little girls. They are the reason my heart continues to beat.

I have so much fun with them. Everything to them is new and wondrous, I get to shape how they experience most of the "Firsts" of their lives. It's AWESOME! They are a riot. They make me laugh, I make them laugh. It's also a lot of work. They out number me and I think they know that.

My youngest just turned 2 so she has gone somewhat insane for a while, but this too shall pass.

I find myself just sitting on the floor with them sometimes and I will remember something I used to do or play when I was a kid and I'll do it with them. That's the best.

As they have gotten older it makes it easier to do outside/trip stuff with them. Less gear, and such. Once my youngest is potty trained I plan to start taking them on day hikes.

Just be there and interact. The rest will just happen.

 

[ruliansdad]

me and babys momma are separated, and weve got a sort of 50/50 waking hours setup. that means I spend about 7.5 hours a day with him. he's almost 11 months, so we like to eat, swim/bathe, play music on drums, guitars, pianos, play catch, practice standing and scooting, take walks in the sling, dance to music, read stories, and hang out @ the playground.
when he was younger (up to 4 months or so?) I didnt really know what I could do with him besides walk with him in the sling and take baths. so that's what we'd do. it was **** awesome even though he was a little baby. he's never felt like a chore. I think if mom is ok with it, loving it, healthy mentally, the early time (maybe up to 6 months?) is probably great for baby to spend most of his/her time w/mommy. in my case momma was not stable enough or loving being a momma for it to work. and I am not complaining - what an honor and joy it is to spend time with this little man! I love it.

 

[Vellorian]

I don't know what a "dc" is, but I'm presuming is a child?

I considered my children "boring" until they were about 3 months old. As soon as they become "interactive" (noticing their surroundings and responding to them), I have a blast with them.

Last night, for instance, my 4 month old sat on my lap--at my request--for a few hours while we talked and giggled and hugged and snuggled and laughed and tickled and watched a movie (yes, he actually watched!) and walked around and changed clothes and...

He was fun.

I carry on conversations with my kids. I park them in corner of the couch and talk to them until they talk back to me:

"How was your day, Jim?"

*Pause* --silence

"Did you play with momma? Or your sisters? Did you play with your brother?"

*Pause* "Goobbpbpbp!"

"Really? I bet that was fun! What do you want to do tomorrow?"

"Eeebbpbpooop!"

And so on. We will "talk" for about 3-5 minutes. I don't know that it really "does" anything for him, but it might be teaching him the basic pattern of conversation or something. Or he might be imprinting and remembering the bearded daddy-face. *shrug* It delights me and he laughs. That's really all that matters to me.

 

[Godiva]

Yes, you are correct, DC stands for "dear child/children" and thanks for replying