Technically speaking, I am in charge of the morning routine. Once Annabelle is up, (5-6am), I change her, feed her breakfast, rotate the toys as she plays in her highchair afterwards etc. I am also technically in charge of bedtime stories (typically three books). Whenever it is time to turn the page, I sort of prop the page out and Annie grabs it with gusto and flips to the next page. I love the idea that I get to "bookend" Annabelle's day.
Did I say "technically"? Well, there are 100 excuses for why I don't get to each of these everyday. Some days I have to work early so I don't have the time. Some days I am out late running errands. Some days I am cooking dinner so the wife does story time. Some days I am just too tired and worn out for either and the wife (as always) picks up my slack.
Last night I did story time: The Hungry Caterpillar, Harry the Dirty Dog and Goodnight Moon. As I read to my little jammied bundle I wondered if she would remember these times. What effect does a daddy's low, soothing voice at bedtime have? 13 years from now when she is crying because a friend did or said this, that or the other and I put my arms around her and talk quietly with her, will the sound of my voice spark some unexplainable comfort her her - subconsciously springing from these quiet, unhurried story times during infancy?
And then I see this. And I am reminded that I am a shmuck for the times that I skip out on my evening duties.
2 comments:
FANTASTIC. And you're not a shmuck Daddy. No way.
She WILL remember. As a daughter of a loving dad, I can say that his voice to this day (and I'm 30 now) brings me a feeling of safety and comfort and I'm sure it's because it was the voice heard in my ears each night before bedtime.
When we were kids, we would all take turns piling into one of our rooms on the bed (all 4 kids and both parents) and whoever's room it was got to pick a story, and then we all prayed (that takes a while with 6 people) and then we went to sleep. My dad alwasy prayed last and I still have vivid memories of it. And a million other memories. She will too. :)
And memories of him running into my room at lightning speed when I had a nightmare.
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