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| Written by Joeprah | |
As an observer of human behavior, I enjoy noting the reactions I get when I run errands with my daughters during the day. If a woman were to be seen toting around little kids it's expected, but when a dad is out and about with the little ones people take notice. The concensus is the reaction of, "Aw, look at the poor helpless dad helping mom out for the day." W-T-F ever. For instance, at Target, my store of choice for general shopping trips, I am constantly being recognized by other humans for my fatherly efforts. First, to set the scene I must describe my shopping cart layout. I have three daughters and this is inevitably how my shopping cart looks after about two minutes worth of pushing. Toddler in the "baby seat" in front where dad can keep an eye on her. 5 year old hanging on dangerously to the side of the cart to get the sensation a dog gets when they put their heads outside a car's window. Finally, their is my second grader who walks along side the cart like a secret service agent keeping a watchful eye for dropped shoes, cups, coats, hats, and toys. Anyways, one day, while hustling my clan around through Target's brightly lit aisles, I received two comments from strange women (see go figure) about the fact that I was out during the day with my kids. The first woman, who was elderly and accompanied by her middle aged daughter, sized me and my cart up and down and laughed saying, "You sure have your hands full today!" Both women had a good laugh as if I were in "new territory" and I was getting my come-uppance (insert your own word of disgust). Little did these women know that when they opened their mouths to laugh, I mentally put my foot in. They also didn't realize that they were talking to "Joeprah" and that I own the territory of stay-at-home-land. I let it slide. So, I continued on my journey for random items when, wouldn't you know it, another woman happened across my path like a woodland animal crossing a road at rush hour. This lady was probably in her 30s and upon seeing me and my daughters got a huge, Snackwells eating grin and said, "Super dad today!" I quickly replied, "No, super dad everyday." My tone implied sincerity. I wasn't jovial, but serious, dead serious. She scuttled away. You may think it's just the women who make these comments, but you would be wrong. It seems that the four groups that accost stay at home dads the most with backhanded compliments are:
The latter of that list seems to be the most easy to dismiss and the most helpful. I had a seasonal hire of Target, an elderly man in his 70s, almost follow me and my three daughters through the entire store as he kept calling me "Dad." He helped me locate items on my list and kept reassuring me that we were almost done and I could get on my way quickly. The point is society shouldn't be so surprised to see dads out with their kids. I have had women talk to my kids instead of me asking things like, "How is daddy doing?" Why not ask him yourself? Really.
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