Daddy's Little Girl

A few weeks ago, I was invited by some friends to join in their roadtrip to Greenville, SC. One of my former students lives there as well as one of my closest friends from college. (They actually live in the same condo complex right across the street from each other - odd I know!) I was hesitant to go for lots of reasons.

1) Steve would have to take time off work to watch Madeline
2) I'm 30 weeks pregnant
3) I would have to miss her sibling prep class at the hospital
4) I hate hate hate being away from them

Steve kept encouraging me to go - that I "deserved" it and all that... a last hoorah before baby2 is here - yada yada.... so I hesitantly agreed to go. As I shared my plans with friends and others everyone was just amazed that Steve "could" or "would" take care of Madeline by himself for 3.5 days. This really took me back.

First of all - I do it every day - it's not "rock science." (as Paris Hilton would say) Yes I don't pull an "all day" shift by myself, but from 7 to about 6 I take care of her "all by myself." I don't see anyone falling over dead at that prospect.

Second of all - my husband is not 5 years old. He is fully aware of "how" to take care of a 2 year old. YES Madeline can be trying, YES it's exhausting at times, but that doesn't mean he can't do it. She's not really a Mommy or Daddy's girl and we've worked hard to make it that way. She's had her phases where she prefers one of us (usually him) over the other - but they pass and we make sure that both of us "know" what her currant phases/needs are.

Third - It's good for both of them! I get to be with her alllllll day almost every day. I know she must get tired of my ugly mug! Daddy plays different, Daddy feeds her different, Daddy disciplines her different - tell me it's not good for her to have a few days of all Daddy all the time!

Am I being naive? Is it really such an AMAZING prospect that my husband would WANT to take care of his child for 3 days? Don't get me wrong - I am soooooo thankful for it - and for him in general. I don't have a "typical" husband who comes home from work, turns on the game, and doesn't even acknowledge his family (but, are there really husbands like that anymore??) - he loves coming home and playing with Madeline. He's not in the door one second before she has a list of things for them to do together. After a quick change of clothes, he's 100% focused on her
until she goes to bed - which, gasp, he does 99% of the time. He is a gentle giant with her - focused and loving, but not "afraid" to discipline her when she needs it.

I guess I was just surprised at how many people asked me who was going to "watch" Madeline while I was gone - as if my husband couldn't possibly be an option.

The best part is - he FILLED her days with fun stuff to do. They went to the car wash, the library, the Childrens Museum (which was packed from what I understand), her sibling prep class, church, long walks, and much playing in the yard. It wasn't some type of Disney movie marathon ; )

I guess, shocking or not, I'm so proud to have a husband who is willing to get into the child-rearing as much as I am.