Heroes Overcome Humiliation

Oct 3rd, 2008 | By jeffpickett | Category: Advice

The PLUNGE

Hey, I’m the New Dad on the Block.  Sort of.  After 37 years of living “Me-ness,” I took the plunge.  No, I mean I TOOK THE PLUNGE – not only did I get married, but I inherited the insta-family, four daughters from my wife’s previous marriage.  Being the glutton for punishment, we added two more children to the mix – girls as well.  So we have Hillary, 18; Courtney, 16; Haley, 12; Caitlyn, 10; Olivia, 3; and Sophia who is 2.  Oh wait, our dog Holly – yeah, she’s a girl, too.

THAT PURPLE DUDE

I hope to share and compare many valuable lessons as a recent father, but my favorite is one I thought I’d never write or think about.  It involves a purple dinosaur named Barney.  Maybe you’ve heard of him.The first time I came home and my wife was viewing Barney with Olivia, my stomach turned and I couldn’t help but laugh.  Watching Barney then felt like a rite of passage, kinda like the Man Called Horse movie where Richard Harris gets his nipples torn to prove his manhood.  I got through the first showing and as I went to flip the input on the TV from DVD back to cable, I quickly realized my TV viewing habits were about to change.  Drastically.  Since that episode I would estimate we have over 30 Barney DVD’s and we’ve watched them all over 50 times a piece.  At least.  And now Barney has become a dear friend.

Yep, they're watching Barney

Olivia & Sophia watching Barney - what else?!

BE THE HERO

There are many times I now turn to Barney to pacify the little ones from time to time.  My 2 year old is rarely seen without carrying her Barney or Baby Bop doll.  And one of my most memorable fatherhood moments involved Barney even.  On a family vacation to DisneyWorld, we upgraded our trip budget about $500 and included a day at Universal Studios because we learned Barney was a feature show at the park.  I’ll save the Visa/priceless cliches for you, but I have to admit that when my Olivia saw Barney for the first time and her little face lit up, the tears started streaming down my face.  If I needed any proof of my love for my children, that moment clarified it all.

For all fathers with kids over 1, you probably know what I’m talking about.  So, for those new fathers, trust me.  Pick up a Barney DVD.  You might endure a little humiliation at Target.  But you’ll become a hero with your child.

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  • First of all, ya, you really DID take the plunge. Congrats and kuddos for taking on such a huge responsibility and in such a sincere way.

    Our situations are somewhat similar. Remarried this year at 36. I already have three boys, 9, 6 & 3, but got two stepdaughters, 6 & 5 in the process. Because they are boys, and my actual offspring connecting with them has been, well, natural. With the girls, I realized I had to work at it a little bit. Barbies, Hannah Montana, and Care Bears (including a 6-foot version inducing the same reaction as Barney for your little one), they're really not my scene, but circumstances resulted in me being the stay-at-home step dad this summer. It gave us a chance to bond doing things like making "Girl-tinis" (Sprite & food coloring in a martini glass) and having a date night.

    Thanks for sharing a great post and for being the example of a hero to your new family.
  • Girl-tinis - I might have to make those some time for my girls (the older ones, that is). Best of luck with your mixed crew of 5!
  • first barney, then hillary duff, then hannah montana. now I know the words to jonas brothers songs.

    bring on the humiliation boys, being a dad means being involved.

    doesn't mean I don't slip in some led zep or john mayer onto my girls ipods, or make them watch remember the titans.
  • Thanks for sharing
  • edhardy1
    Fancy knowing that.I'm counting on you.
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