pop!life
a view from the other side
when ms lovechilde asked me to contribute to her blog as a guest poster on the world of dad, i was at once flattered and bewildered. first, she never asks for my input in real life, so, i then became suspicious, as this may be a setup to get into the secret, inner workings of the labyrinth-like male mind….(more on that later).
honestly, I don’t put a lot of stock into “being a father”. i am a father. it is at the core of all that i do, think, say… that being said, i am certain that i can shed light on the world as we view it.
i shall name this corner…. pop!life – the view from the other side…..
we men are a rare breed. as fathers, we are not known as the nurturers…we solve problems and fix things….period. scrape your knee riding the skateboard? cry to mommy, get a band-aid from daddy (and a pat on the butt as you get back on that board)! however, as i am on my fourth go round with diaper changing, i have noticed that you hardly ever see changing tables in the mens’ bathroom.
a quick google search reveals that i am not alone in noticing the dearth of “father-friendly” environs in restaurants and malls. guys (and gals) are really upset about this issue…. talk of boycotting restaurants, online changing table locators, etc.
me? ehhh. no biggie. look, as I said, men solve problems/fix things… i’m a results oriented type of guy --- not a crusader. poopy diaper – change it…by any means necessary! in my life, I have learned to use facilities (some don’t deserve the “bathroom” moniker) in bars, port-a-potties, golf courses, outdoors….i’ll spare you the gory details, but suffice to say, i’ve become very resourceful.
so, with kid in tow…you first have to assess the situation. what tools and resources are available? large vanity countertop? oversized handicap stall? any chairs in the room? big trashcan with a lid? got a towel?
you have to make do with what you have… i steel myself with the daddy “warrior” attitude when i leave the house with the kids. two diapers in my back pocket, a few wipes in a ziplock bag, a hand towel, 1 bottle in the other pocket…and we’re out! it teaches resilience, self-sufficiency…. besides, there’s always a tj maxx or target nearby for a change of clothes!!
Nice post, Dad!
ReplyDeleteVal Joyner
thanks, val! glad you like...! gotta throw some "balance" out there. ;-)
ReplyDeletei loooooove it!
ReplyDeletethat was so fun!
very clever post!
mean really are so simple aren't they! :)
~that was the best web-log that i have read in a long time!!! i gotta visit this blog more often! :)
ReplyDeletehave been helping my (now recently married, before a few weeks ago recently engaged) friend to map out the "good" stores that have, well after reading this post, i should say, girl-friendly changing stations. i actually am a Pro. I kinda think like pop!life, she, a novice...so i told her i would keep a lookout.
always thought Nordstrom was a safe bet, along with other so-called high-end or actual high-end department stores. But she recently texted me with a great find! Apparently a Target she visited actually had wipes! lol. :)