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| Photo by Khairul Azfar Ahmad thepatahtumbuh.blogspot.co |
Whatever it is that you've always enjoyed, you may never return to it because your days will become ruled by what needs to be done and what has to be done which are both quickly trumped by what must be done (attending to: screeching for no apparent reason; relentless teething angst; potty issues; bath/no bath debates; a vomiting episode here and there; etc.).
So what daddyhood will demand from you is a whole new relationship with time.
When you're single you have the greatest ability to master your world of time — whether to use it wisely or not, it's your choice; to linger or to fly; to spend it in solitude; huddle with a friend; or go brush up against the populous — time was yours, all yours, with the exception of your commitments to school or work.
That ends when you enter daddyhood.
Fighting for 'old time' can be a vainglorious effort as both mother and daughter need attention (especially when each of them is calling you from a different room).
No; your time is given to this tiny creature — this new half of you. It seems the child determines what your schedule is and when 'your time' will be allotted. That time will be known to you as 'nap' time or 'collapse into bed' time.
But while you may be sleep deprived for a few years, there's no greater joy or honor than to be called "daddy." There is no greater 'time' than that spent with your child. It's amazing, challenging, joyous, frustrating, awe-inspiring and frightening. It's no wonder sleep gets compromised, just don't say I didn't warn you.
