For the past few months there has been a subtle form of segregation occurring in our house. This has not been so much due to deliberate policy as it has been sheer necessity. When the number of children in a household increases from one to two it forces parenting tactics to switch from a leisurely zone defense to hectic man-on-man. For practical reasons associated with breast feeding this has meant that Kerry’s main focus has been Evan while I have taken Amy herding duties.
Even when I have managed to grab some time with my son Amy has usually interrupted it with well meaning but overly exuberant efforts to help me tend to him. I’m not sure it would be fair to call it jealousy as she always displays a great deal of affection; but it’s certainly the case that Amy doesn’t like to have me show any attention to Evan without her being involved in some way. This lack of quality time with him has led to me worrying that I’m not bonding with him as well as could be.
Over the past week or so however things have improved immeasurably. Evan has started having a bottle of formula in the evening. As the job description for this feed does not specify the possession of mammary glands as a pre-requisit I have been able to participate. It would take a heart of cold steel not to melt as I sit there feeding my son while he gazes trustingly into my eyes. In addition Evan has just discovered that there is something inherently hilarious about my face and so has taken to beaming broadly every time I come into view.
These little changes have proven just enough to break down the dam that was holding back the steadily growing swell of emotions that have been building since Evan’s birth. The fact that I have two children now has finally sunk into my core. It doesn’t get much better than this.
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Hi Dan What a dam of emotion must have overflowed – but thats what being a parent is all about . Great that you can share it all with us. Loved Slish slash.