Dad’s see parenting as a map; with a road going from A to B. They, as Dad’s do, look for the shortest route to get to B (as they are thinking about time, fuel consumption and their own “let’s go” mentality).
Mom’s see parenting as a GPS navigation system. They are on the same road…going from A to B. However, Mom’s are always on the lookout for the next turn, washroom, restaurant and playground.
Case in point. A Dad (and for the life of me I can’t remember which Dad) once told me his strategy for taking kids out. “I have a cell phone and a wallet. What more do I need?”. It was an A-ha! moment. True enough – if you go out with kids – you can quite certainly buy or call for whatever you need. Dad’s are thinking about the destination – not the trip.
Have you ever seen a Mom’s bag? It filled with toy cars, snacks, stainless-steel water bottles, Kleenex, sunglasses, paper & crayons, hair elastics, band aids and lollipops. Oh, and a wallet and cellphone. Mom’s are thinking about the trip, the roadblocks, the detours, the destination and the return trip.
Feel free to call me on this one – if you feel compelled. Moms cannot enjoy the trip without the plan. We need a plan. We embrace our plan. We own our plan. Dad’s – Dad’s are along for the ride. They’ve got the wallet and their cellphone and will burn that bridge when they get to it. (there is both envy and contempt for those bridge attitudes).
Parenting is a very twisted road – don’t you agree?
I couldn't help but laugh when I read this. When we go out, even for dinner, my hubby can't understand what takes me so long to get ready. His idea is to through jackets on the kids (2 of the 3 can do this unassisted) and shuffle them in the van. Me? Let's see: change of diapers, pen & paper, dinky cars, small book… I love my husband dearly, but he just doesn't get it sometimes. Glad to see I'm not the only one who thinks this way. Thanks
This is so true. I have to plan everything and I get irrationally annoyed when the routine is off – even when there’s no real need for it to be “on”.