Fatherhood For Babies
Several friends have recently become Dads for the first time. One of them had just returned to work after a few months' of being leave. He was having a day at home after having been ill for a few days at the exact same time as his daughter was going through a rough period of sleep (or lack-thereof), and also when he had committed to attending a collection of social gatherings with his wife that he had very little enthusiasm for. All told, he referred to feeling sorry for himself, and feeling like a big baby. (He reminded me of the brilliant clip of football Hard Man turned avuncular pundit, Roy Keane, saying the word 'baby' in such a perfect way)
I think my friend had it right. One of the shocking things about becoming a parent is that there really is no one else who is coming to save you. The baby is here and you've got to do something. Nevertheless, with that tiny scary thing in your midst awaiting your complete and utter devotion, you can feel like a helpless baby yourself.
This is Fatherhood For Babies. We're all just big babies really.