Giving Dad's a Pat on the Back for Being a Dad?

I'm back....sorry it's been so long. I've been swamped with Thanksgiving preparations (which I'll blog about later) but I just heard something that I had to quickly write about right now!

I was just watching The View and Angie Harmon was a guest. She said the most interesting thing about fathers that got me thinking about many comments that have been made to me about Mark as a father. Angie was talking about how her husband, Jason Sehorn, would change their infant's diaper at night and then bring the baby to Angie to breastfeed. She went on to say how many people have told her that she is so lucky to have a husband that helps her out so much with their children and how her response to such comments is something to the effect of, "He's not helping me. He should do these things because they are his children too!" A lightbulb went off in my head as I heard that!

I too have had many people comment about how much Mark helps me out with Trent and how I am sooooo lucky. I am the first to admit, I am lucky to have Mark as a husband and father to my child (soon to be, children). He does "help out." But, I have to agree with Ms. Angie Harmon....Mark should help out with Trent...it is his child too!

Although I am appreciative that Mark tends to Trent, apparently more than other fathers do, I don't think that his giving Trent the occasional bath or changing the sporadic poopy diaper, earns him a merit badge! I love that Mark takes Trent on a "Man Trip" on the weekends (usually to Home Depot), just so the two can spend alone time together on the weekends and so that I can have an hour or two by myself, but Mark likes doing that stuff because he loves spending time with Trent. People have commented that he is such a good father for doing such things and I want to respond, "Is he supposed to be a bad father and do nothing with Trent?" Instead of congratulating Mark for being a good dad, I really want to say that I'm sorry to those woman who don't have a husband who wants to do such things or who doesn't feel like it is their job to help their wife raise their children.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that I am lucky that Mark does things with Trent, but it is his son and he should want to do things with his son. He cannot wait to coach Trent on his t-ball or soccer teams. A father should want to spend time with his children. My father never missed my cheering at football games or a single dance recital, so I guess I expect that from Mark as well. However, as far as "helping" with a diaper change or calming a screaming Trent, that really isn't help, that is his child and his job too.

I don't get a pat on the back for the hundreds of diapers I've changed, so why should a man?!

I'm off my soapbox for the time being. I'll update about my Thanksgiving later!