Daddy Tag Challenge!

Recently the très charmante and very French Frenchie Mummy had the bonne idée to adapt the Mummy Tag that had been doing the rounds to create The Daddy Tag and suggested that those of us parents avec des testicules should fill it in so we can learn a bit more about each. So, given I do indeed have testicles, here goes:

• Are you a Stay at Home Daddy or a Working Daddy?

Work work work! Full time at Heathrow, which is where I met my lovely wife. I work about four 10 hour shifts per week, so I’m home for the other three and Sarah works three shifts per week, so between us the little one generally always has one of us here!

• Would you have it any other way?

I don’t think I could be a stay at home dad as I enjoy work (most of the time) and like having a mixture of being at home and not being at home. I also couldn’t work Monday to Friday 9-5 as I wouldn’t see the little one enough for my liking so I’m happy with the balance I’ve got now.

• Do you co-change dirty nappies? Even the very smelly ones?

Of course! Whoever is nearest to him when he craps himself changes the nappy! I also did that lovely first one at hospital where it’s like trying to remove tar with a cotton wool ball!! All part of being a parent!

• A little fairy gives you the possibility of breastfeeding? Are you going for it or do you run away?

It would be interesting to have breasts for a day I guess (although might look odd against my hairy chest!!), but my first thought wouldn’t be to stick them in a baby’s mouth!

• What is the one must-have item for a daddy?

A child.

Seriously though, if we’re talking ’emotional’ item it would be patience. If we’re talking ‘physical’ item it would have been his bouncy vibrating chair for the first few weeks because that’s the only place he’d sleep! Now it would be a whole host of different things for him (Peppa Pig / books / toy tool kit / cars / trains etc) and alcohol and chocolate for me.

• How many kids do you plan on having?

We always liked the idea of two – one boy and one girl. You can’t really plan that kind of thing perfectly though so if we have another little person one day that would be lovely, but if we don’t we’re delighted with the one we’ve already made!!

• Lads’ nights? How often do you have them?

Never! We go out as a mixed group every few months but last time I went out with just men would have been well over a year ago!

• Your children’s favourite achievement?

Every little progression is awesome in its own way. First time he smiled, first word and first crawl were all pretty cool, but probably first steps was the highlight! That’s when shit got real.

• What is your best memory with your kid(s)?

Actually really enjoyed our trip to the coast a couple of weeks ago. Playing on the beach as a family was awesome, even if it was just for an hour or so!

• Name one thing you miss since being a daddy?

Being spontaneous! Like deciding to go out for dinner or to the cinema or even to the bloody supermarket! Just that freedom of being able to have an idea and actually being able to do it.

• Weight gain, before pregnancy, during, after and now? And we mean YOU DADDY, not the mummy!

Progressively fatter from birth onwards!! Due in part to comfort eating from stress, no longer being at home at the same time for dinner often (so convenience foods) and complete lack of exercise!!

• Dream holiday with your kids?

It will be Disney one day when he’s a bit older. Although Kos last year was brilliant too in a Family Village.

• Dream holiday without your kids or even without the other half? (You’re allowed to dream)

Mexico is still my favourite holiday so far. Just the food, the drinks, the beaches, the ecological parks and the people. Was all perfect. Cuba was lovely. Sri Lanka and Maldives was brilliant for our honeymoon. San Francisco was great. Anywhere really where you can relax and have a great time with great food and lots to do! Would also love to go to Ibiza again, as Sarah was pregnant last time we went and I love my dance music!

• How has your life changed since having kids?

Unfortunately I see my other half less often. And, as above, it’s harder to be spontaneous. But parenthood has been great for me so far, even if I’m always half asleep.

• Finish the sentence “It makes my heart melt when…”

He smiles at me with his cheeky grin or the very rare hugs he lets us have!

• Favourite beers brands and football team?

Not a big beer drinker, except when watching football or on stag dos! Much prefer cider or spirits. Football teams are Reading and Reading Women.

• Huggies or Pampers?

Pampers for the night time, ALDI for the day time!

• Have you always wanted kids?

Yes. Never with any great urgency but always knew I wanted to be a dad so just naturally assumed it would happen one day!

• Best part of being a dad?

Everything! Just seeing the little one being happy and learning new things every day is brilliant! Wouldn’t change him for the world!

So there we have it – me in a nutshell. Although given my nut allergy that would be a pretty disturbing place to be!

So I now tag anyone reading this who has testicles to give it a go. After all, it takes balls to be a dad…