Father's Day Tuesday: The only guy in the house
Today's Guest Dad is David Kohn, a Sun reporter who writes our Maryland Med blog about all things health-related. He's the man of his house -- quite literally. Here's his post:
"I'm the only guy in a house of three girls -- my wife and two girls, 2 and 6. What's that like? Lots of talk about sparkly things, princess dresses and shoes.
"How to avoid being overwhelmed? My wife is hopelessly uninterested in sports. But young kids can be brainwashed.
"So when they were days old, I started on a campaign to get them into football, and especially the Redskins, my favorite team. How I've done it:
--Every time the older daughter correctly identifies Joe Gibbs on TV, she gets a treat.
--While watching a game, chant Red-skins, Red-skins, Red-skins cheer over and over. The 2-year old is in a repetition stage, and so, even now, months after the season, she bursts into the chant at random moments.
--If necessary, discuss uniform color schemes.
--Try not to scream too loud at the TV when the refs or Redskins screw up. It will make the 2 year old cry."
I'm sure many of you fathers are in the same all-female boat. Tell us how you deal. (P.S. David, I want you to know I bear no responsibility for the grief you may get for admitting your Redskins allegiance on a Baltimore blog.)
Comments
David, you're only setting those poor girls up for a lifetime of tears...
But you're on the right track in that shared interests are important. For me, it's getting my 2-year-old daughter playing with LEGO.
Posted by: Marc Nelson Jr. | April 15, 2008 7:51 AM
And also on the right track with the positive intermittent reinforcement!
An additional positive would be that if your daughters were really into watching sports, they would never get frustrated when future spouses are totally absorbed in the game. See, you're only looking out for their best interest, right?
(Not that being a Redskin fan is necessarily in their best interest...chuckle, chuckle...)
Posted by: Annelies | April 15, 2008 9:46 AM
Well, I am the only female in a male dominated household (my husband and two sons). I've had to learn to put up with Star Wars and other boy related things. Sports I can handle, but the fighting and roughhousing does get to me.
I must admit that I long for tea parties and playing house. I especially wish that I had a little girl to dress up. Boys just aren't as fun in that department.
But, I wouldn't trade my boys for the world! They are the best.
Posted by: CKisMom | April 15, 2008 11:39 AM