Cavedad: How Fatherhood Made Me Regress
Having a baby has done something funny to me.
Fatherhood has made me regress – all I can think about is providing.
I’m the hunter-gatherer. I’m driven to provide, able to think of little else. And I used to be so enlightened.
It is interesting to note how the responsibilies of fatherhood can lead many men to move toward a more self-sacrificing and protective approach to their growing family. Dads have a responsibility to model and teach virtues and values. It is a natural effect of fatherhood and a sign of human maturity.
As we move away from our teenage years, we move away from self-centeredness. What you are experiencing as a father is a greater sense of commitment to your family. While you may not understand where this change comes from, it is important that you act on it, be responsible and share your family values with your children.
Be a good role model, be a leader for your children and continue to fill your important position in your family.
Hi Allen,
Thanks for your thoughtful comment.
I know what you mean – and I think all of those impulses have been stirred in me. But sometimes it feels kind of primal – “me dad, me provide.”
Don’t resist your primal urges! The ‘enlightenment’ you so fondly recall from your pre-fatherhood days was merely an illusion. This is real life, far more enlightening, and far more fun.