by Mark
I was just reviewing the list of “topics for Mark to blog about”. I have to admit to being mildly annoyed at Andrea for steering the content of the blog for the week. I guess, I interpreted it as giving the impression that I wouldn’t know what to talk about.
I’ve been resisting giving a laundry list of my activities and how busy I’ve been. But then if there is one thing I’ve learned working in the TV business for so many years it’s “know your audience”. So here without further ado are the responses to your requests.
In terms of connecting to the children, I find that really ANY activity I do with them is perceived as valuable to them. It took me a while to appreciate this but they don’t seem to care what the activity is, as long as they are doing it with their Dad. I do play games with them and I try my best not to say No, no matter the game (which is amusing when I’m playing the Disney princess game and I have to wear the jewelry). But for what it’s worth here’s some things I did with them this week: took them to a movie, went to Cosmic Adventures, went to the Museum, took them out to dinner and took them to swim lessons.
I have to confess though, I’ve been pretty beat at the end of the day these past few days. It’s non-stop and I don’t know where they get their boundless energy.
Do I see myself as a feminist ? Hmmm…I would say that I’m not a guy’s guy. I never really have been. I’m not much into watching sports on TV (I like hockey and golf but I can take it or leave it most times). I do find myself rolling my eyes and trying to escape to a safe corner in our house when the 3 of them start goofing around and shrieking. It’s the shrieking I can’t take at times. But then I got what I asked for, I wanted daughters. If we had another, I’d want another girl.
Sharing the bathroom with 3 women is fortunately not an issue (yet). I know it will be someday but right now, they are not hogging the washroom or taking an inordinate amount of time (yet).
Do some rules relax when Andrea’s not around ? Sometimes. I try to be consistent with our philosophies but sure some of the rules relax. I suspect Andrea relaxes the rules when I’m not around (like the time they had a big piece of cake for breakfast). But for what it’s worth, the girls have not watched any TV this week, they haven’t eaten in the living room, and they haven’t stayed up late.
How is my care different than Andrea’s? I think we both have a pretty similar style. I’m not sure if that just happens with a couple and they get on the same page. That used to drive me crazy about my parents (Hi Mom. Hi Dad). They were united on every issue. I suspect they disagreed about some things in private but whatever the issue was they were together on it. Ultimately, I think that’s a good thing. It provides some consistency. Although, I have certainly used the “go ask your mother line” when I’m not comfortable saying no.
What have I learned about myself since having girls ? I’ve definitely changed for the better. I’m sure that happens to most people when they have kids. It certainly something that grounds you. Having girls around here, I certainly feel loved. In the past 6 years I’ve received more kisses than in the past 30 ! Sometimes it feels like it’s a little too much but I always try to remember that there will be a day when I wish I could be kissed so much again. FYI, I am no longer allowed to grow facial hair as it interferes with all the kissing around this house !