Tips for dads to take care of toddlers during mom’s absence ​& how parenting is an equal shared responsibility ..

If parenting was only a mother’s job it would certainly be called ‘mothering’, wouldn’t it?

In today’s world, it is imperative that Daddy takes care of some of the parenting tasks so that Mommy gets a breather from time to time. The soothing tasks for example will only help for a father to build a strong attachment with the little one.

Besides, isn’t it only fair that Mommy gets a day off sometimes to go
to the parlour, meet her friends and take a well-deserved break from
the daily and mundane chores of handling baby? That’s when Daddy
needs to step up as a knight in shining armour to take care of baby
for an entire day. If the prospect appears daunting, fear not. Help is
on the way!

Here are a few tips for dads to take care of toddlers during mom’s absence.

• Remember that it always helps to create a schedule and follow
  it. This helps dads to get the bath time, mealtime and bedtime
  routines right. Follow the timelines religiously. For example, if
  your baby has to be fed at a certain time, you cannot be on the
  phone talking to someone at that point of time.
• Identify an activity or game that thrills your child and indulge in
  the same together ranging from playing football to a karaoke
  session to shape sorting. Please note that watching the
  television together does not qualify here.
•  Don’t go on a teaching spree in me-time with your little one,
  assuming that Mommy handles that bit already. Dads would do
  better being a friend as children lack friends the most in this
  new world. Give the child something to look forward to in your
  next session.
• For dads who are petrified of being left alone with your little
  one, just think that your child is the one you cherish and love
  the most. You would travel to hell and back to protect your
  child. So, it’s no big deal if you have to step into Mom’s shoes
  for a day. Once you reaffirm that thought in your head, panic
  disappears and things become much easier.
•  Love is the solution to most things in the world even though
  most people don’t seem to realize this. There’s nothing worse
  than a child being rejected or neglected. So, love your child like
  there’s no tomorrow. Let the hugs and kisses flow as the child
  gets the message that even if Daddy is not there, he is always
  there for me.
•  If patience is a virtue, in the case of a child it is on top of the
  parenting list. No matter how erratic the behaviour of the child,
  you need to keep your cool. It’s not easy but yelling and
  shouting only makes matters worse. We’d suggest you behave
  the way you do with your boss. No matter how irrational he or
  she is, you never lose your cool, do you?
• Identify the areas where your strengths lie in terms of overall
  development of your child. Most dads are good at teaching
  outdoor sports to their children while some are good with
  certain subjects like math and art.
  
  
• Last but not the least, we’d recommend that you watch the
  movie, ‘Mrs. Doubtfire’. If the character played famously by
  Robin Williams can do it, so can you.
  A recent survey by a Mumbai institute revealed that around 70 per
  cent fathers had reduced their travel time pre-Covid era to spend a
  minimum of two hours a day with their families. This helped reduce the stress levels faced by mothers and also shattered myths an gender stereotypes. Equal shared parenting is the new normal today and is practiced by many couples in Indian households. Thankfully, the numbers are growing. But equal shared parenting is not limited to just baby-care responsibilities and also includes breadwinning, housework and me-time as well. It is a sharp deviation from the
  traditional marriage where the woman stays home to manage the
  kids and the house while the man goes to work. It is also in contrast
  to the supermom concept, where the man and woman both go to
  work but the Herculean woman also takes care of the children and
  the household tasks. Instead, both partners engage in the equal
  sharing of responsibilities by balancing their lives, balancing the
  collective life of the family and sharing the joys and pains of raising a
  family.
  Remember, when both parents work as a cohesive unit for the
  betterment of the family, it leaves an impression on the child’s mind
  as well. As they say, a child’s learning begins at home. Children learn
  about teamwork and that no work is gender-biased, big or small.
  Research also indicates that children who have experienced equal
  shared parenting display a high emotional quotient as they become
  adults. They are more equipped to take on the challenges offered in
  life in a peaceful and easy manner. So, as the famous song goes-
  Teach your children well!
  
  Liked what you read? We’d love to hear from you. Share your
  experiences as a dad when you had to manage your child when
  your wife was absent. Also share your views about equal shared
  parenting!