Daddy daycare

I recently had the opportunity to leave the house to do some chores and leave Baby at home with Daddy.  This was a nerve-wracking experience; I trust my partner but it would be the first time that he would be left with the care of Baby entirely to himself.  To be fair he does a lot to help us even though I am on maternity leave and should, theoretically, take on the bulk of the care of Baby over the next few months.  However, my partner wants to be part of Baby's life and being involved, as much as possible, in Baby's everyday care is important.  After all that is a way to spend time with Baby and to ensure he recognises one as a person that is integral to his wellbeing and fun to be around.

The chore involved me being out of the flat for three to four hours.  This meant that my partner would have to be involved in at least one feeding and nappy changing session entirely on his own, very probably with a crying baby on one or more of those occasions.  He would also have to settle Baby down after these activities so Baby could have a good rest in between.  From experience I knew that these were not easy, especially if one were alone.  He gamely took them on, knowing that it was important I did the chore.  I left the flat in some trepidation even though I had helped prepare for my disappearance by ensuring that there was enough milk in the fridge, sterilised bottles in the cupboard, and nappies and other paraphernalia readily accessible for changing Baby.  I managed to stop myself from calling home to check on them and arrived home to find everyone in one piece.  My partner had even put Baby to bed, and prepared dinner for us, by the time I got home.  This was one of the times when I felt life was good.

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