Impending fatherhood is noted for bringing out the incapabilities and frustrations in men. It's a choice topic for cartoonists. Personally, after having experienced the birth of my first child, I'm inclined to agree with what people say can happen to a man during the long wait.</p

Engle, Norm

Digital Repository @ Iowa State University (ISU)

I Was A H ousehusband For Nine Months By Norm Engle The author and Jeffery, age eight months, who inspired "Househusband." Expecting a baby means many things such as being a critic for the wife's new "tent" clothes and still finding time enough to carry out his regular study habits. I MPENDING fatherhood is noted for bringing out the incapabilities and frustrations in men. It's a choice topic for cartoonists. Personally, after having experienced the birth of my first child, I'm inclined to agree with what people say can happen to a man during the long wait. His wife wants to eat weird combi-nations of food and expects him to know things even her doctor can't explain. It's my opinion that this is merely the way the little woman shares with us the tremeridous job she has ahead. Left to herself she would probably go about her busi-ness calmly and serenely, efficient! y bringing her little one into the world. The books say the father-to-be should share in every way he can during the trials and tribulations of pregnancy. So from the day my wife came home and announced, "We're having a baby," I began in my con-fused, befuddled way to aid her. In the next nine months I experienced a first hand account of nature at work. Abruptly we found ourselves in an entirely different world. My wife underwent mental and physical changes, becoming depres-sed, energetic, and moody all at the same time. Many strange notions came into her head. Fortunately for me, my wife is a healthy individual so I can't sympa-thize with fellows who are plagued by morning sickness. Friends of mine who had already become fathers told me of contending with cracker 12 crumbs and corn flakes in bed. Not having these things, I considered my-self lucky. When it came to building "tents," and baby clothes, however, I was on the verge of hair-pulling. No matter where I was I'd be called for an opinion. What did I know about sewing? Yet, I was required to consul on everything from size to ribbon selec-tion. Because I have an infinite prowess around the kitchen, my wife also cons.idered me an accomplished seamstress. The next thing I knew, my wife was bringing home vitamins in a baby bottle. I never did discover who they were intended to help, the baby, Doris, or both. I must admit it was a very creative idea by some-one as it helped solve the bottle buy-ing problem. A pregnant woman has an appeal-ing wholesome look to me, but no matter how much I told Doris this, she had to be reassured that her bulging shape was not making her unattractive. The baby grew, and Doris got bigger until it was almost like having a "bull moose" in the house. A change in size also brought other changes. At the least little as-sumption that there was movement, I had to come running so I could feel too. Before this ended, I was in shape for a berth on the Olympic track team. I had made it quite clear with the doctor on our first visit that if he didn't come through with a boy, he wouldn't get any more of our busi-ness. Our last trip to the clinic re-sulted in chaos. Doris came home saying the doctor told her to come to the hospital Thursday morning to have the baby. I wondered what kind of a quack he must be. Calling the doctor to find out what was going on, I was told there was nothing to worry about. By some long medical term, he said Doris had a mild case of high blood pressure. But Doris wasn't to be outguessed by any doctor. She had made up her mind not to wait till Thursday, and about three o'clock she wok me to say she was having pains. I rolled over, told her it wasn't Thursday and assured her she was having halucinations. Minutes later I found myself driving her to the hospital, the doctor confirming that it was the right time. Luckily, neither of us had a hard time at the hospital. I was in the midst of taking finals at school and spent most of the time in the waiting room studying. As it turned out, the doctor's first prophecy was correct. We're now the proud and happy parents of a son. It's lucky for the doctor that he came through on his promise too - for it looks as if we'll be doing business with him again soon. I hope I can stand up as well for the rest as I did for the first. How-ever, if hair pulling is any indica-tion, I still have a lot to go through yet, and a lot of men never do get bald. HomemakeT and AgTicultuTist 

English

I Was A Househusband For Nine Months

https://dr.lib.iastate.edu/handle/20.500.12876/41490

I Was A Househusband For Nine Months

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