Today’s entry in the #40Days40Dads project is another dad named Mike, who is the father of two kids and also a stay-at-home dad. He also watches some other kids part-time and shares stories via Dad’s Adventure Daycare. Thanks for sharing your experience, Mike!
#22: Mike
Mike is the father of a 3.5-year-old son and a 4.5-year-old daughter.
What was the moment when you first felt like a father?
The day my daughter was born.
What’s your favorite part about being a father?
I love getting to spend so much time with my kids! I love taking them on adventures to explore the world. I also love that I can to spend so much time with my niece and nephew who are the same age as my kids, since I am a stay-at-home dad. I call them all my crew. I am a stay-at-home dad who has a small home daycare. I watch another little boy the same age as my son and a 1-year-old boy part-time. I love the craziness of having all the kids in the house teaching each other and learning and exploring together. I think that is my favorite part of being a dad–getting to watch all these kids grow up together! I am very lucky!
What’s the hardest part about being a father?
1) never sleeping
2) long work days
3) crazy hours
4) always at work
What’s the dumbest/funniest thing that your kid has cried about or fought with you over?
They both had a fit last week because we had no cheese sticks left in the refrigerator. Once my son got mad at McDonald’s because the Ronald McDonald statue wasn’t real.
What’s your favorite thing about your kids?
I love that my daughter says she wants to be like me when she grows up and take care of kiddos. And I love how my son loves to make up stories about everything! And I love how close they are with each other and have such a great bond. They don’t really fight with each other…well, until crazy hour…but after that they are good again!
If you could go back in time and give yourself a piece of advice when you first became a father, what would you say?
Enjoy your sleep before you have toddlers jumping on you saying, “Dad, I want waffles for breakfast!”
Any other comments to share on fatherhood?
I know that they say it but it’s true: Don’t blink. It’s crazy how fast time really goes once you have kids! I feel like it was just yesterday we were bringing home our daughter from the hospital!
If you’re a father or you know a father who would like to share his story, send him to this link to answer the questions. Stay tuned for another dad’s crib notes tomorrow!
