Things Boys Need From Their Dad

This post is sponsored by Vocalpoint, P&G and Gillette. All opinions are my own.

I remember the moment I realized that my husband was the man I wanted to spend the rest of my life with. We had been dating for a while, and we had taken a road trip together with my two young sons. I had married the first time at 18, and was divorced by 22. Sensitive to my past mistakes, I was extremely overprotective of my children. He didn’t meet them for months, and this trip was the first time he had spent an extended amount of time with the kids.

We were riding in his brand new truck when out of the blue Doodle started to feel sick. He was not yet two. He opened his mouth and managed to projectile vomit all over the back seat of that truck while crying an ear-piercing cry. I remember taking a deep breath (instantly regretting taking in the sick smell) and looked over at this man, driving a brand new vomit-covered truck, and wondered just how this mess was going to play out.

He pulled the truck over and rushed to pick up the baby. He pulled him out of the car seat, grabbed all the wipes he could and spent the next while wiping down the baby. He didn’t stop to clean up the truck. He didn’t complain. He just held my little boy and cleaned him up without heaving.

It took a while to get us back on the road, and the puking didn’t stop all weekend. I don’t do vomit, but I found a man who did. A man who loved my baby more than he loved his brand new truck.

That was that for me and my heart.

We have been married six years now, and every day, I am humbled to see him parent our kids. The little boys he met six years ago are now ten and eight, and they need him more every day.

Who says wisdom can’t be shared in the bathroom?

Little boys need a soft place to land

My husband is always the first one to scoop a child up in a hug when they need a little love. When he’s home, Peanut is glued to his side.

My husband understands that these boys we are raising need cuddles and kind words as much as they need to rough house and whoop and howl. It’s hard to grow up. There are days where the kids need to be able to crawl next to him in bed and just snuggle while watching a movie.

He’s wonderful at not telling them to “cowboy up” – and I hope that as they grow older they will continue to feel comfortable coming to him with their thoughts, feelings, and concerns.

Little boys need an open ear

Just this past week, my husband was getting ready for yet another work trip. He’s gone a lot (thanks, Uncle Sam) and it really wears on the kids. As he was getting ready to leave the next morning, Bug found his way into my room. Daddy shaved with a Gillette® Mach3® Signature Edition Razor – you have to avoid that redness (it’s possible with Mach3®) and Bug sat there with him and talked and talked.

Chatting with Dad as he shaves with Gillette® Mach3® Signature Edition Razors

It’s the small moments that really help the boys open up. They aren’t going to sit across from a table with me and spill the beans- they’re going to do it slowly. While getting ready for the day. While watching their Dad. While working along side him.

And he is always there to listen.

Nothing warms my heart more than seeing him with the kids- they’ll talk his ear off, and he’ll just keep doing what he does best. Seeing him in his element always leads to questions- and oftentimes deep conversations about life, living and growing up.

Little boys need an example to follow

I am blessed with a husband who not only pulls his weight in our relationship and our home but often goes above and beyond what he “should” be doing. He’s constantly working to serve others- and the kids see his example.

Explaining to Bug how to not cut yourself while shaving

I love that my boys are being raised to understand that a man can do the yard work, and also cook amazing meals in the kitchen. They see him being tough when he needs to be, and soft when he wants to be. He’s my partner and he’s showing the kids how a husband and father should be. I couldn’t be more grateful to have him in our lives.

What else would you add to this list? What does your husband do for your sons?

Pick up Gillette® Mach3® Signature Edition Razors at Costco- we do most of our shopping there since there are about a million people in our home- they have the best deals on things like razor blades and shaving cream!

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