Most people would admit that mothers have it pretty rough when it comes to parenting. Whether you are a working or stay-at-home mom, women tend to shoulder the brunt of parenting. However, some modern dads are stepping up to the plate to help care for their offspring. I can easily include myself among this growing number of males who are taking on more responsibilities in their roles at home.
Raising children can be stressful, particularly when they are in those early years of learning how to walk and explore the world around them. If you ever wondered what it’s like to be a dad of small children, here are just a few of the things I experience on a daily basis.
Parenting is stressful for moms and dads alike. But when you’ve got twins in the mix, it’s double the chaos. As a dad of three kids – my older daughter Naomi and twins Claire and Colton – I’ve decided that parenting is a bit like learning to become a ninja.
Here’s my daily routine as a ninja – er, I mean, a dad.
6:05 a.m.
Ninja training begins bright and early, as all three kids need to get ready for school and out the door. Clothes must be put on, breakfast eaten, shoes tied, backpack zipped up – times three of course! This means running back and forth as one is still grumpily asleep, two is having a breakdown over not being able to find her favorite shirt and three is spilling milk on the floor. Ninja dad to the rescue! I hop from one problem to the next, resolving them all.
7:24 a.m.
Ok, we’re out the door. But somebody has forgotten his lunch, so we’re going back to the house for a quick detour.
7:43 a.m.
Lunch mission completed. We’re back on track, heading to school.
8:07 a.m.
Waiting to enter the drop-off zone at school. All my kids rush out of the car door before I can stop them. So much for a goodbye? I roll down the window and ask for a kiss. I get 2/3 kisses, good enough.
9:00 a.m.
I arrive at my Better Health Alaska chiropractic office, right on time, ninja-style.
9:08 a.m.
First patient is on-time, so I start my day by trying to reduce my patient’s pain. Besides seeing my kids after school, this is my favorite time of day. If I can make even one person’s life easier today, I’ll call it mission accomplished.
10:23 a.m.
Spinal adjustment a success. Now I get a text from my wife asking if the kids have piano lessons today. Where’s my planner?
12:54 p.m.
Busy day, lots of patients. Ninja has confirmed that kids have piano.
2:00 p.m.
Need caffeine now, please.
3:04
p.m.
How it is already 3:00? How am I late to picking up kids again? The mad rush
for getting to school begins.
3:37 p.m.
Traffic not so bad. I pick up kids, only seven minutes late. I’m so happy to see them! I’ve already got their snack packs with me. As they munch down on carrots and gushers, kids ask what’s for dinner. I forgot I promised to cook dinner. What’s in the freezer?
4:00 p.m.
Drop kids off at piano class. Nothing in freezer. Decide to stop by the supermarket to pick up some healthy ingredients.
4:30 p.m.
Salmon and asparagus purchased. Healthy omega-3 meal, here we come!
5:03 p.m.
Pick up kids from piano, go home and start cooking. As I’m grilling salmon, all three kids have their homework out. Lots of questions to answer. So many questions.
5:54 p.m.
Homework is kinda-sorta done. Wife is home (yay!). Dinner is ready. Ninja for the win.
7:00 p.m.
Kids want to watch TV. I suggest rollerblading. Rollerblading it is.
7:32 p.m.
Kid #2 falls and scrapes her knee. Crossing my fingers there are band aids in the house.
7:34 p.m.
Band aid applied. Crisis averted.
8:00 p.m.
Time for bed! Time for bed! Time for bed! I must continue this chant until the kids have understood I’m not joking.
8:03 p.m.
Really, not joking, kids.
8:15 p.m.
Yes, first kid is brushing teeth. Now the others will fall!
8:20 p.m.
Kids two and three are brushing their teeth.
8:25 p.m.
Bedtime stories are requested. Of course I will happily read your favorite book for the 1,237th time this week.
8:34 p.m.
And the 1,238th time.
8:43 p.m.
Kids are asleep! I have done it!
8:51 p.m.
False alarm, the twins want water.
8:52
p.m.
I bring them water. Sleep is near.
9:00 p.m.
Kids are asleep for real this time! Now I can do whatever I want! Oh wait, first I have to prep for tomorrow. Time to do the dishes, prepare lunches for tomorrow and write tomorrow’s to-do list.
9:45 p.m.
Prep done. Now my free time begins. I decide to brush up on my reading about chiropractic technologies. I open the chiropractic journal to read an article…
9:59 p.m.
Must fight the sleep…
10:05 p.m.
I can’t hold out any longer. Lights out until tomorrow. This ninja dad needs his z’s to have energy for tomorrow…
