Father & Baby

The world according to Kevin McCreeth: dad of two       

Bringing up kids just throws up one emotional high after another.
I like to think of myself as a regular guy: I like my sport, I’m happy doing DIY and I enjoy a drink. So how come I’ve been reduced to tears at the sight of a baby bottle full of milk?

For months now I’ve taken on the role of milk matron in the mornings: as Rose deals with Alex’s first nappy of the day, I plod downstairs and mix the formula for his morning bottle and make Rose’s cup of tea (I should point out that by the time I‘ve got round to making up Alex’s bottle I’ve already confronted Lily’s offerings.

Note to self: must push on with getting her out of nappies at night-time).
Today was just like any other day, except that, as I measured out the formula, I knew this was probably the last time I would be doing it. Ever! Alex is going to be one year old and so it’s goodbye to powdered milks. Where did that year go?
(As a side issue, when we recently asked Lily if she knew how old Alex was she replied, “hmmm, he hasn’t got a number yet”, proving that kids DO say the most profound things.)

Anyway, back to the point. How many more times I can expect to be reduced to tears as my kids pass the various landmarks life throws up, I wonder? Obviously there’ll be first steps, first words, first day at school… I can confidently predict I’ll be wiping away a lone tear/ floods at each one. Though perhaps not for the last nappy change.

And although the frequency of these occasions may be reduced as they get older, these landmarks will continue for years. I swelled with paternal pride the first time Alex donned his Liverpool baby kit. Then there’s the starring role in the first school play to look forward to (I once understudied Tiny Tim – how can Alex ever live up to that?), getting exam results, passing driving tests, first pint in a pub, going to college. Leaving home! Having kids… Sorry, I’m going to have to stop now: I’m welling up.

It's just a noise

According to new research, the most horrible noise in the world is someone vomiting. No surprise there, and maybe it's still no surprise that men found the sound of a baby crying harder to bear than women. I know it makes my nerves jangle...

T-shirts

I don't generally approve of folks dressing alike, you know, couples in matching anoraks etc. But the folks at sugarbullets.com are making me reconsider. You can now buy retro rock T-shirts in kids’ sizes.

Call me a softie, but I quite like the idea of dressing Lily in a Ramones shirt to match mine... Available in sizes from six months to five years, at £18 each.

Stockists: Amplified kids t-shirts cost £18 available from sugarbullets.com/kids/amplifiedkids/

Dad’s dilemma


Dear Kevin,

My wife has decorated our bedroom with pictures of our daughter everywhere. This is all well and good except for when we have a moment of, er, intimacy.

I find it off putting, but I don’t want to be a killjoy and seem unloving by asking her to remove them. What can I do?

Mark, Teddington


Dear Mark, How sensitive of you. Can you really be one of the few couples in the world who have relations with the big light on? I suggest you turn it off like the rest of us.