I don’t claim to have a superpower, but…
How many dads do you know would be comfortable looking after someone else's 2 year old for 2 days?
A 2 year old who I have only met a handful of times.
That's what I did last summer - like Batman gazing across the roof tops of Gotham I spent half of May on standby for THE CALL.
The call that my sister in law's labour had started. Because someone had to look after my niece. A Grandma was in South Africa, a Grandad was shielding.
"Help me Uncle Ian, you're our only hope." or something like that...
Enter Uncle Ian. No cape, but brandishing Paw Patrol heroes Rubble and Skye and a pedal car for the garden.
Top tip always bring toys... Especially when you are about to collect your niece from the car park of Kingston Hospital...
I can hear your thoughts (actually that is my superpower), why I'm I telling this story?
It's because there is almost nothing a dad cannot do when it comes to looking after their children (breastfeeding is the only thing I can think of). Childcare is a learnt skill, there is no magic mum superpower or special potion that midwives secretly give out.
Supporting new dads with coaching and mentoring, coupled with cultures that genuinely support dads' access to extended parental leave and flexible and remote working from the very earliest days of fatherhood is vital to improve dads' skills and confidence.
Solo parenting, learning from mistakes and building bonds with their children is good for mental health, attainment and equality at home and in the workplace.
Because when dads are there are the forefront of parenting anything is possible.
Including looking after your initially skeptical niece Sana!
Follow my brother Chris and my sister in law Takkies’ lockdown baby story on Emma Willis: Delivering Babies in 2020.
Tune in Monday 15th Feb 10pm @wtvchannel (Sky 109, Virgin 125, BT 311)
and watch out for Uncle Ian's minor supporting appearance! Don’t blink or you may miss it!
Picture Credit: @yuliamatvienko via Unsplash
Well paid, extended parental leave, really matters for gender equality AND it’s a massive PR win