I feel incredibly fortunate to have a husband, Jake, who is not only an amazing dad but also a key player in our family life. This is wonderful for both me and our kids, especially since he seems destined to outlast me. Curious why? Let me share a few reasons:
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He Doesn’t Hold Onto Everything
Every day, my kids seem to have a new treasure for me to hold: half-eaten snacks, mysterious trinkets from the playground, or my son’s latest obsession—rubber bands found on the sidewalk. This endless cycle of germ exposure, despite my best efforts with vitamin C, has left me fighting off colds like it’s my second job. It’s probably also why my doctor once informed me I was the only adult in her practice diagnosed with double pink eye in 2013. -
Selective Hearing Skills
Now, don’t get me wrong—Jake can hear just fine. However, he’s mastered the art of selective hearing. When the kids yell “Mom!” for a drink of water, I’m the one who jumps up to help. This means they’ll eventually stop calling for him and only shout for their mother. In about 35 years, you might find me muttering “MomMomMomMommy” to myself at the bus stop, while he enjoys the peace. -
A Sound Sleeper
This might connect back to his selective hearing. While I’m awake at night, attuned to every little cough, sigh, and snore from our kids—even when they’re on a different floor—Jake sleeps like a rock. I once had to wake him to let him know our son needed to go to the ER because of intense jaw pain. I think the saying should really be “sleeping like a dad” instead of “sleeping like a baby.” -
Emergency Contact Duties
As the primary emergency contact for school, I receive all the calls ranging from simple questions like “Are your kids bus riders today?” to the dreaded “This is the school nurse…” My heart races whenever that number pops up on my phone, and I often feel like I need to call for backup. -
Master of Delegation
Jake definitely outsmarted me when it came to dividing up parenting responsibilities. Somehow, I ended up with the delightful trifecta of sunscreen application, nail clipping, and supervising the writing of thank you notes. Each of these tasks has turned into a mini-crisis, and the kids dread them just as much as I do! -
Trust in Their Independence
Jake understands that our kids have opposable thumbs and are tall enough to reach most counters—meaning they can whip up a sandwich if they’re hungry or wait five minutes for help finding the remote batteries. This laid-back approach contrasts sharply with my instinct to micromanage their lives. Honestly, it’s this ability that I envy most and hope to adopt for my own longevity. If I can learn to relax a bit, I might avoid becoming that quirky old lady at the bus stop!
In summary, having a husband like Jake who excels in parenting and self-care is a blessing. While I juggle the more challenging aspects of motherhood, his laid-back style and sound sleeping habits could very well lead him to outlive me. For those interested in exploring options for home insemination, you might find useful tips in this post, and if you’re looking for resources on pregnancy, check out the CDC’s excellent information.