I know. I’ve been missing. I have issues. Lots of them. That’s a whole other post.
Anyway, today I saw something at the park that made me smile though and for the first time in several days I thought about sharing. There were a few dad’s there with their children. There were 2 that were sitting on the bench together chit chatting it up while their kids played together. Then I saw another one sitting on the bench reading a book while his daughter was running around on the playground. I could not help but smile. I think I smiled a little too big at the two sitting on the bench together because they kind of gazed back at me with a mix of confusion and friendliness. They both smiled back at me but, I could tell they were thinking “Do we know you?”.
I am a little off but, again, that’s a whole other post.
Anyhoo, I could not help but wonder about them. I had questions. The main question was where were the moms? Now someone please tell me why would that question pop into my head? There are plenty of career women that make enough money to support their families allowing the father to stay home with the children. There are plenty of men in this world who are wonderful fathers, my own husband included. I was surprised how I speak of equality in parenting but when actually confronted with living proof of it outside of what I see with my own husband, I question it.
So I did what any inquiring mind would do; I eaves dropped and stood as close as I could to the gentlemen hoping to hear what they were talking about. What do men talk about on play dates? (I almost feel weird saying that phrase.) Do they talk about shopping? Money? Funny kid stories? Parental frustrations? Yes, yes, yes and yes. And then some.
These guys were having the same conversations I have had with my own friends. One of them was saying how they have to go food shopping later and saw there was a sale at Publix. The other guy chimed in with enthusiasm about the buy one get one free on some of his favorite cereals. Then they started sharing funny kids stories and the silly things their kids say. After that the conversation became one that I myself have had several times. The guy said, “Oh my God. I was on the phone the other day and I couldn’t even have a conversation. He (meaning his little son who looked to be about 2) came over to me while I was talking and asked me who I was talking to because he wanted to know if it was his grandfather. I told him no but then he kept trying to talk to me and was saying daddy over and over a million times. Finally I just hung up the phone. Do you know as soon as I hung up the phone he had nothing to say to me. He left the kitchen and I didn’t see him or hear a peep from him for about 20 minutes. I could have had that conversation in 20 minutes if he would have left me alone long enough.”
Seriously, I swear I’ve had that conversation verbatim.
I was in reverse world. Once I was over the initial shock of it all I was able to appreciate what I was seeing. I’m thankful that my husband is a loving father and spends time with his children like these men. I’m sure if I was bringing home the money he’d happily be playing with the kids at the park.
I stopped listening in on the conversation when the topic changed to diapers.
