Comments on: The journey to first-time fatherhood http://www.markpollard.net/the-journey-to-first-time-fatherhood/ By Mark Pollard Tue, 09 Mar 2010 04:39:13 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Jim http://www.markpollard.net/the-journey-to-first-time-fatherhood/comment-page-1/#comment-2246 Jim Sun, 12 Jul 2009 04:31:53 +0000 http://www.markpollard.net/?p=733#comment-2246 Feeling a bit precious are we? Getting drunk and ringing ex-girlfriends show a real lack of maturity. Feeling a bit precious are we? Getting drunk and ringing ex-girlfriends show a real lack of maturity.

]]> By: trixie http://www.markpollard.net/the-journey-to-first-time-fatherhood/comment-page-1/#comment-2220 trixie Wed, 08 Jul 2009 12:59:59 +0000 http://www.markpollard.net/?p=733#comment-2220 My favourite bit: "Respect for women. I have to say… women are awesome. Having babies, holy cow! Respect, respect, respect. " You get it! Mark Pollard - respect, respect, respect. My favourite bit:

“Respect for women.
I have to say… women are awesome. Having babies, holy cow! Respect, respect, respect. ”

You get it! Mark Pollard – respect, respect, respect.

]]> By: Andrew Blanda http://www.markpollard.net/the-journey-to-first-time-fatherhood/comment-page-1/#comment-2210 Andrew Blanda Tue, 07 Jul 2009 11:40:18 +0000 http://www.markpollard.net/?p=733#comment-2210 Mark, what a great article! I can relate to some of what you said, especially the 'respect respect respect' part at the end, but in itself, the birth is almost an anticlimax, OR the realisation of 'oh shit - it's here...PANIC!' :-) I was at the birth of both my boys and as they get older, I want to work less and less simply to be around. I've changed nappies, changed beds, got up at all hours to various sniffles, snuffles, cries and thuds (when someone falls out of bed). I try and do an afternoon pick-up from school, speak with my boys and help guide them to become great men. However, there is something that still lurks in the back of my mind even now (boys are 4 & 7) that you simply cannot let go of all you 'once were' - yes, becoming a father is a big step in your life, but it does not have to end everything you did before. I find that unless you have some of your old things, or take time to be with friends, you could sink into depression and loneliness. Going AWOL (roaming) is something we all (mothers, too) need to do every now and then, otherwise it can consume you and spit you out the other end asking 'where did my life go'. Having said that, being 'present' and being there for them is one of the most important parts to being a parent. I've blogged a couple of topics on my children in case you're interested (if you don't like/allow cross-posting in comments fee free to edit this out) http://bit.ly/9IA3B & http://bit.ly/dz5pl Andrew Mark, what a great article! I can relate to some of what you said, especially the ‘respect respect respect’ part at the end, but in itself, the birth is almost an anticlimax, OR the realisation of ‘oh shit – it’s here…PANIC!’ :-)

I was at the birth of both my boys and as they get older, I want to work less and less simply to be around. I’ve changed nappies, changed beds, got up at all hours to various sniffles, snuffles, cries and thuds (when someone falls out of bed). I try and do an afternoon pick-up from school, speak with my boys and help guide them to become great men.

However, there is something that still lurks in the back of my mind even now (boys are 4 & 7) that you simply cannot let go of all you ‘once were’ – yes, becoming a father is a big step in your life, but it does not have to end everything you did before. I find that unless you have some of your old things, or take time to be with friends, you could sink into depression and loneliness. Going AWOL (roaming) is something we all (mothers, too) need to do every now and then, otherwise it can consume you and spit you out the other end asking ‘where did my life go’.

Having said that, being ‘present’ and being there for them is one of the most important parts to being a parent.

I’ve blogged a couple of topics on my children in case you’re interested (if you don’t like/allow cross-posting in comments fee free to edit this out)
http://bit.ly/9IA3B & http://bit.ly/dz5pl

Andrew

]]> By: On being a man and losing a loved one | Come Together http://www.markpollard.net/the-journey-to-first-time-fatherhood/comment-page-1/#comment-2203 On being a man and losing a loved one | Come Together Tue, 07 Jul 2009 05:43:56 +0000 http://www.markpollard.net/?p=733#comment-2203 [...] beautiful post on being adopted and his return to Columbia, and especially Mark Pollard (on the journey to first-time fatherhood). I take strength from all your examples, so thank you for helping me to write this [...] [...] beautiful post on being adopted and his return to Columbia, and especially Mark Pollard (on the journey to first-time fatherhood). I take strength from all your examples, so thank you for helping me to write this [...]

]]> By: Mark Pollard http://www.markpollard.net/the-journey-to-first-time-fatherhood/comment-page-1/#comment-2189 Mark Pollard Fri, 03 Jul 2009 10:27:23 +0000 http://www.markpollard.net/?p=733#comment-2189 @Dom Merci! Thanks for popping out of Facebook and onto my blog :) @DJ 2 boys, actually :) Definitely agree with trying to get men to talk about this stuff. It's been interesting seeing what guys chose to write about during Man Week this week. Did you read the posts? @Kristen Yes, I think going AWOL is something men do outside of pregnancy. I do it a little - well, that's what I'm told. Nothing crazy these days though. Men like to roam. What can I say? @Knorts We were also early off the rank in our group of friends so didn't have many people to talk to about it all. But it was a great adventure. Did you get your man reading the Man Week stuff? @Kelly Dig the turn of phrase: "Start being a dad". So true. Great insight about watching him during the scan. Matt will no doubt spend days putting new furniture together... good luck with that, mate! Hope you can read Mandarin. @Dom Merci! Thanks for popping out of Facebook and onto my blog :)

@DJ 2 boys, actually :) Definitely agree with trying to get men to talk about this stuff. It’s been interesting seeing what guys chose to write about during Man Week this week. Did you read the posts?

@Kristen Yes, I think going AWOL is something men do outside of pregnancy. I do it a little – well, that’s what I’m told. Nothing crazy these days though. Men like to roam. What can I say?

@Knorts We were also early off the rank in our group of friends so didn’t have many people to talk to about it all. But it was a great adventure. Did you get your man reading the Man Week stuff?

@Kelly Dig the turn of phrase: “Start being a dad”. So true. Great insight about watching him during the scan. Matt will no doubt spend days putting new furniture together… good luck with that, mate! Hope you can read Mandarin.

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