Making Room: Learning to Adapt to Life with a Little One, A Dad’s Perspective

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conversation starterWhen my oldest son Jake was about a week old, I interviewed for the head lacrosse job at McNicholas HS. I was gone from the house for about 2 hours to interview, and I think my wife wanted me home before I even left the driveway. When I found out I got the job about 3 weeks later, my wife and I went out to Olive Garden that night at 4pm to celebrate. Jake wasn’t sleepy, and was actually really hungry, so I ate alone while Erica walked around with him outside and we eventually got Erica’s food to go. I ate the celebratory dinner alone. I want a do over on that. At that moment, I thought that our lives were going to be over and we wouldn’t be able to do anything for ourselves because we had kids.

About a week later, Erica and I ventured out to a McNick football game and Jake slept almost the entire time. This was one of the first times Erica and I were able to leave the house and actually do something without cutting it short because of Jake. This football game gave us the confidence to start trying to do more. We started going out to eat again and we started taking Jake everywhere we went. We quickly learned that as long as we were prepared, we could still do what we wanted and Jake could be part of the action. Just because we had kids, didn’t mean we had to stop doing what we enjoyed doing. I learned that if you truly love something, you will continue to do it, and maybe even make your family a part of it. If you love something, you should not make your kids an excuse for removing things from your life.

Jake's first lacrosse practice because his mom was working late
Jake’s first lacrosse practice because his mom was working late

Jake goes to every McNick lacrosse game now, as long as it’s not raining, and he has a great time hanging out with the other kids. Jake even comes down to the field with us and shoots the ball with the varsity players. Very early on, I learned as a father, that you can do whatever you want with your child, it may just require a little more work. Sometimes putting in the extra work, or time, makes the experience that much more rewarding… even if your 20 month old leaves the Bellbrook game screaming half way through the 3rd quarter because he skipped his nap.

In the ball bucket when his mom was working late
In the ball bucket at practice when his mom was traveling for work.

A special thank you to Contributor Erica’s husband for today’s post!

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ericariggall
Originally from Rochester, NY my husband and I moved to Cincinnati in 2011 for his job. I am a stay at home mom to two boys, Jacob and Lucas, who are 18 months and 2 days apart in age!. My husband and I also have a dog named Freckles. As a family, we enjoy time outside at parks, going on walks, the Bengals, and exploring all Cincinnati has to offer a young family! I also enjoy reading, catching up with friends, being crafty and scrapbooking in any free time I have.

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