Being a Dad Changes Things
Two days ago I celebrated my first Father's Day. To be honest, it made me feel old. Father's Day was always a holiday I celebrated for somebody else, somebody older than me. But now I am the older person others are celebrating. It's weird.Having a son has changed me. There's the obvious things about more responsibility, less sleep, more joy, less time. But there's even little things that I notice about the world that didn't even occur to me before having a kid. For example:
New Shopping Carts - I walked into our local grocery store the other day and immediately lit up when I saw the new, sleek, and clean shopping carts greeting me at the entrance. As the smile grew on my face, I immediately pulled one out to admire the child seat, the untangled safety belt, and the clean sitting area. Before Kyler came along, I would have probably never noticed and certainly would have never cared. But now that I'm a dad, I notice new shopping carts. New shopping carts mean I don't have to worry about a strap being broken, or a wheel being stuck so as to jolt my kid every time I try to turn. It means there is a less likely chance of pee being on the sit from a previous sitter. Being a dad changes things.- Wall Sockets and Low Decorations - When I walk into a room now, the first place my eyes go are to all the low furniture, hanging cords, decorations, and wall sockets. It is not because I am particularly interested in the way the lower half of a house is decorated, but because I know that my son, the moment we set him down, will destroy it. This is now second nature to me. Being a dad changes things.
- The Backseat Size and Trunk Space - I haven't ridden in the backseat of my car since I got it. I rarely ever rode in the backseat of anybody's car, and when I did, I didn't really notice the size (unless it was crushing my knee). Now, anytime I look at a car, I try and figure out whether or not a car seat could fit comfortably in the backseat. I look at the trunk to see if it could store a stroller, pack'n'play, toy bag, diaper bag, and another stroller. I check instinctively.
Becoming a dad changes everything. For you Father's out there, what are a few things that you notice now that you never did before you had kids?