Fatherhood - The Brochure

One of my colleagues just came and gave me a brochure entitled “Fatherhood – Supporting you and your family”. I’m not sure how to take this!! Does he think I need help already?

The front cover says “Are you trying to juggle being a father and working?”. … well not yet but what are you telling me?… I wasn’t really planning on doing any juggling anyway.

The brochure does however inform me that I can get 1 week partner leave when the baby is born. Yeehaaa…. A week of Playstation 3 – Modern Warfare 2 - hehe just jokes. Maybe the first week will be a bit like modern warfare – a war between dirty nappies, milk, sleeping, not sleeping, a tired wife and looking at this thing and wondering what to do with it.

One of my mates told me that being at home those first few weeks is a waste of time as you are just in the road and your wife and baby just need to get used to each other and settle into a routine. That might have been what he found but I think his wife and mine have slightly different ways of operating and therefore I will be front and centre waiting to do whatever is required.

On a different note, I made pasta for dinner last night which was great fun and the fettuccine actually turned out rather nice but when I looked at the kitchen afterwards it was like a big flour bomb had gone off, both me and the kitchen were covered in flour. It made me think that mess is something I need to get used too. From what I have heard keeping the house tidy and clean is a constant battle one you have a little one. From the early stages of nappies etc to the eventual pile of toys which seems to spread out across the house and get under your feet, you are on a downhill battle to keep things in order. Which brings to something that has been playing on my mind… electronics….

I have heard friends talk about the wonderful things their little angels like to put in weird places especially electronics. The most common is to insert jam or toast or pizza or milk into the CD/DVD player. Now all our stereo equipment – PS3, set top box, amplifier etc sit quiet nicely on the floor under the TV stand. There is really no where else they can go in our little house but since the PS3 warranty does not cover damage from toast inserted into the DVD slot, I’m definitely going to have to look into doing something. All I can come up with so far is buying one of those mesh fire guards and putting that in front. I am of course open to suggestions.

Anyway back to the brochure, it does have loads of helpful information and hints on where to get help. From parenting services, “Hey Dad WA” to “Manhood Online” there seems to be heaps of help out there. I must say to me, Manhood online sounds either like an unsuitable site with unsuitable pictures or a place where men can go to have their manhood flattered. Sounds interesting nonetheless.