Recently I had an unexpected visitor that stayed with me for a couple weeks. Unfortunately that visitor was my small intestine and he arrived in costume as a hernia. At least it happened in October so I could go to parties dressed as that guy from Alien who had his stomach explode. Continue reading The Occidental Parent
Category: Dads
Dads, whether you bring home the bacon or stay at home with the rugrats this is your area.
A Dad muses on the joy of a Onesy
Every experienced dad I’ve spoken with has said that after every ‘phase’ of parenting has been their favorite. As a dad I can attest to that because Baby Mojo is leaving the onesy phase and I have loved this phase.
As previously mentioned, aspects of his infant phase, especially at night were great because it had an accompanying Elvis soundtrack in my mind. Part of that vision quest was the timely nature of his diaper calls, combined with the onesys that he was wearing. Continue reading A Dad muses on the joy of a Onesy
A Dad’s guide to the pacifier
Prior to being a dad I didn’t know beans about the pacifier. Now that I’m a dad I still don’t know beans about the pacifier because my wife told us that we wouldn’t be using one with our child.
Husbands will attest to this that sometimes their better half will simply state that (insert activity or thing that you may, or may not want to do) will not be happening. Most of the time your spouse will be correct and that thing either wasn’t needed, would’ve added needless danger, calories or really would’ve made your butt look big. I’m not talking about those black pants, I swear sweetie. Continue reading A Dad’s guide to the pacifier
Dad day in the doctor’s waiting room
Today I had to take Baby Mojo to the doctor. After check in we went into the “well patient” waiting area where they have a couple toys and a movie playing. It was unique today because every parent with their child was a dad. Baby Mojo settled on the floor and started playing with another boy while his father and I chatted about our kids.
When the nurse came for the next patient she said, “Wow, it looks like Dad Day in the waiting room”. With one less dad in the waiting room I could focus my attention to Toy Story 2, which was playing on television. I defy anybody to not get sucked into watching that movie. It’s like a giant sink hole in Florida, except in a good way, unless it was sucking up one of those neon t-shirt shops, then it’s still in a good way. Continue reading Dad day in the doctor’s waiting room
New babies: a primer on communication
When Baby Mojo was first born my greatest fear was ‘how will I know what to do?’ Even though you have nine months to prepare for their arrival the pressure about what to do and when to do it is the underlying albatross for most parents. We were talking one day and Daddy Mojo said something along the lines of my greatest fear aloud. Continue reading New babies: a primer on communication
I’m keeping tabs on my neighbors
Even before I was a stay at home dad my ability to remember names in a timely manner left lots to be desired. At previous jobs and social gatherings there were people who I genuinely wanted to know, but couldn’t remember their names. I’ve tried mnemonic devices, like associating somebody with an action or thing that will trigger their name with something. They do work occasionally, but then I have to remember somebody else’s name and the whole process gets gummed up inside my head. Continue reading I’m keeping tabs on my neighbors
An open letter to Parenting Magazine
Dear Parenting Magazine, I like your publication and we receive it at the Mojo house. After a year of reading it and getting some dandy ideas on meals that I can cook, development tips and relationship advice I realized that you have almost no pictures of dads in your magazine.
That’s cool. I don’t know your demographics, Continue reading An open letter to Parenting Magazine
Fathers, buy your diaper bags carefully
When we were looking for a diaper bag my wife insisted that it be something that I’m comfortable with carrying, both in appearance and feel. As usual, my wife was correct and also had a bit of foresight by knowing that I tend not to use things that I don’t like.
It’s not something I’d admit to in mixed company, but one of the unforeseen advantages of having a baby is being able to carry around the diaper bag. Continue reading Fathers, buy your diaper bags carefully