Changing perspectives

My New Year's resolutions post has been playing on my mind a lot since I wrote it, and it has definitely motivated me to be more focussed on Jake when I'm spending time with him. It's hard not to, to be fair, as it's almost too enjoyable watching him sort everything and rough and tumble (I can no longer lie on the floor without being pounced upon and ridden like a horse). 

This, however, is not the main thrust of this post. I know that I've been guilty in the past of judging other fathers for conforming to traditional stereotypes, but since writing my last blog post, I've made a conscious effort to spot fatherhood being portrayed more positively. So far, this change in my expectations has seen a change in what I've seen, including:

• Many more posts/pictures on Facebook from my male friends with kids, all singing their praises and all actively engaged with their kids. For some, I'm not friends with their wives/girlfriends, so I only see one side of their family life, but even so it's comforting to know that there are so many other men out there who take pride and pleasure being a father.
• Runners with strollers. It may be that January is a big time for runners of all persuasions as people try to shake the Christmas pounds, but there were a good number of men out with their babies at Park run last Saturday and again it makes me feel better, that I'm not doing something strange by taking my baby out running with me. Admittedly, I saw most of them as they overtook me, but this only motivates me to get out training more and come back quicker next week.
• Publicity. Just before we left the US, I saw a couple of adverts (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=inxDmPi15yk is one) which led me onto some interesting research. www.fatherhood.gov is a fascinating site, full of ideas to do with your kids, an interesting blog and a mentoring program that I would desperately love to become a part of when we move back to the US. I'm not sure if something exists in the UK, but given the amount of support that was available to my wife (she still remains in contact with some her mum and baby group members 19 months later on), it seems that there is a gap to be exploited to engage as many new fathers as possible.

All of these have helped me to change my outlook, and it's much easier now to find examples of good fathering. Resolution 1, ticked off (but will be ongoing). What's next?