Dadscape

I went out to a restaurant the other night with the other 'pregnant Dads' (MiL's phrase) from the NCT group. We're a pleasant mix of the enthusiastic, unprepared and downright bewildered. Or so it seems... we seem to be keeping the actual level of readiness hidden behind a veil of manly indifference.

Me: So, have you got all 'the equipment' yet?
Dad 1: No, not really. You?
Me: One or two things – a pushchair and a cot.
Dad 1: That's pretty organised...
Me: (feeling smug) Yeah well...
Dad 1: Cos we've only got a Moses basket, a rocker and... er, we decorated the room with a proper border and lots of pictures for the little one.
Me: That's actually quite a lot.
Dad 1: Have you not done that yet?
Me: Well, we've made a start on the decorating... and er, booked him into a nursery for a year's time (turning to someone else) How about you? All ready to meet the challenge of fatherhood?
Dad 2: I feel like I don't know very much.
Me: I've actually been reading a book about soothing crying babies.
Dad 2: Like when they get colic, get tired or overstimulated? You can try shushing them – make them feel like they're back in the womb. White noise works too.
Me: Er, yes, that's it. Spot on.

And so on...