Posted on: Sunday, June 16, 2002

A new Mr. Mom learns the hard way

By Linda Tagawa

Little Noah was born a couple of months ago. It was agreed that Kent, the proud father, would be the stay-at-home dad when his mother returned to work.

After Noah's arrival, however, most of the baby-care stuff was handled by his mother, Anna. "Of course, I chipped in too," stated Kent smugly. "I mean, I changed his diapers at least four times."

But then the morning came when Anna would return to work.

"I wish I had paid more attention," Kent nervously mumbled. "I mean, like wot I going do if the baby cries?"

So many unanswered questions. Kent's stomach was tied in knots.

"No worry," assured Anna. "I made the milk and sterilized the water already. The diapers are all stacked over there along with the wipes, and there's extra change of clothes when he gets dirty. If Noah won't go to sleep, then just wind up the baby swing and put him in the seat. He loves it. Nothing to worry about!" Off she went.

The first day, Kent got queasy every time the baby spit up, but it wasn't long before he wore Noah's spittle like a badge of honor every time they went for a walk. It didn't hurt when the old ladies stopped him along the way, peering into the stroller to coo, "Oooo, da cute! Hoo, da handsome baby!"

Noah's daddy never realized how exhausting it was to take care of a new baby until he became a Mr. Mom. From that time on, he was in constant motion. It seemed there was never a moment of peace and quiet. There was always something to do.

One time, he thought the baby was asleep, so he decided to give himself a quick shave. After he slathered foam all over his face, he thought he heard the baby crying, so he ran out, only to find Noah fast asleep. Soapy water dripped all over the place, and the faucet was still running. From that minute on, whenever Kent went into the bathroom or took a shower, he put the baby in a car seat and took him along.

The new dad found that the only time he could relax was when the baby slept, and Noah usually slept in the swing. "Bless the man who invented the baby swing!" said a grateful Kent. "Noah can spend hours in his. I just give him his pillow and pacifier, wind up that thing and we're both a peace for at least five minutes, 'cause that's how long the swing will rock back and forth before I have to crank it up again.

"I have five minutes to eat, five minutes to go to the bathroom, five minutes to shave. Anyhow, I just found out there is a battery-operated model that goes on and on for the life of the battery, and I've put that on the top of my wish list.

"I remember when my friends told me how life would be different when the baby came. I never believed them, but they were right."