How the hell am I going to keep a baby entertained for a whole weekend?
My wife is on her way to Niagara for a writers conference. She’ll be away until Sunday night, which means the kid is in my hands for the whole weekend.
I’ve never looked after my daughter alone for more than a few hours. I’m really excited about it, but of course I’m also really anxious. Not because I don’t think I can do it, but just because I never have before.
It’s certainly not because I’m a guy. You know my thoughts on dads as second-class parents, and you know I never miss an opportunity to argue that a man can, and should, do the non-biological aspects of parenting as well as a woman can.
But you know what? I’m pretty sure Kate is better at this than I am.
To be fair, she’s really very good at this. A lot of that comes from experience; she spends the day with my daughter while I’m at work. She’s got a better sense of her needs and rhythms, such as they are, and she’s learned to cater to them. I’ve got a few tricks of my own, sure, but they’re not as tried and tested as her methods. If I’ve ever lashed out at my wife because I feel like she’s hovering and not letting me do things my way, it’s probably just because I’m insecure about whatever my way is.
To be honest, that’s one of the reasons I’m so excited about this weekend. By the time Sunday night rolls around, I’ll have proven myself in a way I never have before. That’s the plan, at least.
Let’s hear from the dads out there. How did your first extended solo outing go? How can I prepare, and what do I need to watch out for? You know where to find the comment form.
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Dude, it’ll be awesome. Just get out of the house and make sure you’ve got all the supplies you need (diapers, bottles, wipes, and a couple of blankets). Hit some record stores with the stroller along Queen St. Have a picnic in a park. Meet some friends for a pint on a patio. You’ll find (again, back to your dads-as-2nd-class-parents theory) that everybody will LOVE seeing a dad and his daughter out on the town, and you’ll be catered to BIG TIME.
Of course, if it rains all weekend, you’re screwed.
(That’s not true, there are museums, brewery tours and all sorts of other indoor things to do in the city).
Steve, as always, you’re right. What a bunch of great ideas! I’d been so wrapped up in doing it right that I hadn’t paid enough thought to having fun with it, and now I’ve got a bunch of great ideas. Thank you!