To All The Moms Married To Fun Dads, Thank You

There is a term that I call “lazy brain”.  If my wife is at work or if I have the kids by myself for the day, I become mom and dad.  I have to make sure homework is getting done, my kids are taking potty breaks, washing their hands and all of the other stuff that’s not any fun.   I have to be aware of their safety at all times.  And quite frankly, my kids don’t like me when I have to parent by myself.  But when my wife is around, I go into “lazy brain” mode.  Before you know it, I’m giving my kids noogies and asking if I can have ice cream.  I know what to do, but since my wife is there, she takes over and she is way better at all of the unfun stuff than I could ever be.  

I know a lot of fun dads.  I’m one of them.  But it’s because I’m allowed to be.  Most men would probably say that they knew their wife would be an amazing mom.  But like me, they probably had no idea what that looked like in real life.  Let me show you what that means.

Moms can intelligently translate toddler talk from ” a do a bobo” to “oh, he wants his favorite blankie.” 

Moms make sure their kids are dressed like normal kids should be.  That’s because they’ve already washed the clothes and put together the outfits. 

Moms take care of their kids when they are sick.  They clean up things that make dads stand at a distance and watch.

Moms know the exact dose of medicine their child needs based on their weight and age.

Moms stay up late with their sick child even though it means they won’t sleep.

Moms help with homework.  Even if their child is yelling at them because they would rather be on an iPad, they press on to make sure the work is done.

Moms make lunches with the perfect ratio of peanut butter and jelly on that ever so important white bread.  No crust of course. 

Moms are reading to their kids even before they are born.  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p1gykgIrq3M

Moms are loving their kids from the moment they find out they are pregnant.

Moms can clean the whole house in 15 minutes when they find out someone is coming over, even if it is a disaster.

Moms drive their kids to games, dance practice and become their biggest fan.

Moms push their kids to do new things, believe in themselves and teach them how to be kind to others.

Moms can put a scared child back to sleep with just a few words.

Moms use every fiber of their being to make sure their kids are safe at all times.

Moms make sure their kids are buckled in their car seat, look both ways before crossing a road and they teach them about stranger danger.

Moms never lose track of their kids even in the midst of thousands of people.

Moms brush their kid’s hair, brush their kid’s teeth and clip their nails all at the same time. 

Moms remember everything.

Moms remember when it’s crazy sock day at school. 

Moms manage to tell their kids that they love them multiple times every day of their lives. 

Moms prepare for Christmas better than Olympians prepare for the Olympics.

And every once in a while, they turn those mom instincts off and have some fun.

It may not seem like a big deal at the time when you are in the trenches, but with every changed diaper, comforted kid, fixed boo-boo and apple juice poured, you are changing the world. 

Your kids may not understand or appreciate all that you do.  But when they get older and become moms and dads, they will know what it took for you to have the most esteemed title, Mom.    

So to my wife and all of the moms out there that are married to fun dads, thank you!  Thank you for allowing us dads to be the extra kid sometimes.  We couldn’t be fun without you.

What’s something amazing your mom has done for you?