#ILookAtMyKidAndSee
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As I am sure many parents will attest, we look at our kids all the time and we are filled with emotion. The only thing that varies from time to time is exactly what emotion by which we are overcome. Sometimes, it is sheer joy, other times it is utter revulsion (I’m still in the diaper changing period) and still more often, it has caused me and my wife to be doubled up with laughter. And always, these moments come with love. However, these moments happen often enough that I decided to start keeping track.
Eventually, hip and cool dad that I undoubtedly am (my wife and first editor tried to get me to delete that but I stand by that assertion), I started thinking of these emotions in terms of a hashtag: #ILookAtMyKidAndSee. Thankfully, I am writing an article and not a Tweet so I am not restricted to just 140 characters. These are some of my favorites, from the funny to the sentimental and more. Feel free to add yours in the comments section.
- #ILookAtMyKidAndSee the futures. Yes, that is intentionally plural. Because my son, at one-year-old, is still so much a blank slate in terms of future personality and desires that I can imagine him as just about anything. I may have a doctor, a mechanic, a politician, an electrician, a lawyer, a ninja (of the American Ninja Warrior type) and just about anything in between. And because, in all of my imaginings, my son is happy being whatever he is, I am thrilled with all of these possibilities.
- #ILookAtMyKidAndSee a piece of teriyaki behind his ear. Initially, I couldn’t tell what it was. It didn’t look familiar. And, if I’m being totally candid, we had teriyaki the day before. I swear we bathe him. If I’m being more totally candid, I actually considered eating it. I’m that hardcore dad and by day 2, it was jerky.
- #ILookAtMyKidAndSee the greatest undertaking of my life. No offense to my wife, but the commitment I hold dearest and the one to which I want to do my damnedest to fulfill is that of raising children. This is a life for which I took responsibility and I’d hate to screw it up.
- #ILookAtMyKidAndSee a booger in his nose. As a history major, I feel remiss in not teaching my son about the Inquisition because apparently he thinks the worst form of torture known to mankind is to remove said boogie from his nose. I contemplate if this “bat in the cave” is egregious enough that it is worth angering him. This is a longer debate than it should be.
- #ILookAtMyKidAndSee a child who is both confused and angered by the fact I keep staring at him. Apparently this instinct is one we have early on. I don’t stop looking at him. I have a column idea to flesh out after all.
- #ILookAtMyKidAndSee the war wounds of toddler-dom. I didn’t know I needed combat medic training to be prepared to see the bumps, bruises, cuts, scratches and more that a determined semi-walking toddler gives themselves. My kid is definitely tougher than I am.
- #ILookAtMyKidAndSee a child who doesn’t understand “Dad Jokes” yet. I don’t think I’m a bad father by any means but I think of this fact and know that my peak “Dad” is yet to come. Classics like “Hi Hungry, I’m Dad” await.
- #ILookAtMyKidAndSee a shocking amount of food eaten. I know that they say teenagers eat a lot but if they eat as much as my toddler just did, proportionally, I’m going to need a second mortgage.
- #ILookAtMyKidAndSee a moral dilemma. See, as a nerd, I have a lot of fandoms. Star Wars, Game of Thrones, Outlander and more. Most of these things he won’t be mature enough for for years. And I also know that if I push all of these amazing things, that I’ll turn him off. Which of these are the most important to share with my son? These things keep me up at night.
- #ILookAtMyKidAndSee notes home from school. My wife and I aren’t of the cleanest language. I’m not ashamed of that fact. Will I be ashamed when the first note comes home for inadvertent profanity? Yes. Will there also be the slightest hint of pride? Probably. Definitely far more shame, but the pride will still be there.
- #ILookAtMyKidAndSee a miracle. I’m not a religious person but the fact that I created this person and am somehow responsible for turning him into a functional human being and adult in approximately 18 years, that’s a miracle. A terrifying miracle. I’m not sure I’m a fully functional adult yet myself.
- #ILookAtMyKidAndSee literally, see, the waves of stink emanating from that diaper. I’m going to regret feeding him Mexican food last night. Actions have consequences.
I’m sure I’ll have many more of these over the years and any other children. I’m sure every parent can relate.
If you use the #ILookAtMyKidAndSee hashtag on Twitter, we can talk about the things you see. It’s a conversation worth having.
Photo: Flickr/Kris Gabbard
Haha. Nice work! Had a good chuckle reading this article. Noting that my twin boys are now 13 years old, I am neck deep in Dad jokes!!
Slightly different take on one aspect of your article:
“Hi Thirsty, I’m Friday. Nice to meet you.” Probably works better with an Australian accent…
Keep up the good work!
Matt