Diary of Fatherhood

Whenever our children revise for tests, we usually add a quick pep talk on test-taking strategies which includes: Not rushing through the test but maximizing the allotted time Reading the instructions before answering questions Reading the questions completely before answering them because the beginning of the questions may be familiar, but the tweak may be at the end of it Double checking answers before submission. When they return home with their scripts we also review and work on the areas…

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I found Oche’s cellphone case lanyard attached to a piece of scrap item. Me: “Oche what is your phone lanyard doing attached to this spring or whatever?” Oche: “It doesn’t stay attached on my phone. It keeps coming off.” Me: “So why is now attached to the scrap? You could have asked for help.” Oche: “Ok, I’ll take it out.” He had a kind of lackluster attitude which made me guess he doesn’t like it, maybe. After a few unsuccessful…

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You can’t go wrong with spending time together as a family! There’s always something to take away. Sweetheart, Agbenu, and I were in the kitchen making Puff-Puff (deep-fried dough), chatting away and with some of our favorite gospel songs playing in the background. Suddenly, Agbenu interjected: “Oh yeah! Mom, dad, why do people call God ‘a jealous God’ if He’s never sinned?” Sweetheart and I were simultaneously speechless, blown away and excited! Me: “Mama, that was such an awesome question….

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Ofu rushes in from the backyard and said: “dad, my butt is itchy.” Me: “Come on, let’s check it out.” (With dramatic urgency, I led him to my bathroom). Ok, let’s see what’s going on.” Before, a blink of an eye he took off his pants and underwear, flipped over, and positioned himself for assessment. It was so cute 😁 😁 😁. Me: “Where is it?” Ofu: “Right there.” (Points to the left “cheek” but didn’t touch it). Me: “I…

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Our doorbell rings. Oche checks to see. It’s our daughter’s friend. She asks, “Please can Agbenu come outside to play?” From the game room, in a melodious tone, Ofu yells out “she’s pooping!” Agbenu’s Friend: “Oh, ok, I’ll come back later.” Once she left, we made to speak with Ofu but Oche said, “mom, dad I got this!” Oche: “Ofu, come here!” Ofu arrives. Oche looks into his eyes, with both hands on his shoulders. Ofu looks back with a…

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A tribute to Burt Reynolds on his death, on ET on KPRC Local 2, 9/7/18. In the video he was carrying his child on his laps: You can’t hug, kiss and tell your kids ‘I love you’ enough, and let them pour their drinks on you without getting angry. Burt Reynolds Identifying with his feeling, and immediately after watching it, I called Ofu who came running. I sat him on my lap and said, “I can’t hug, kiss and tell…

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Recently, I had a breakout of pimples, and while I was treating my face, Oche come into my bathroom and we had an interesting conversation. Oche: “Dad, I thought only people who are going through puberty have pimples. Why do you have them?” Me: “I get what you mean. Actually, pimples start with puberty, and after puberty, some people stop having them. Some people, like me, continue to have them occasionally way into adulthood. That’s why I have all these…

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They’ve come a long way indeed. They engaged me with some real spiritual questions at the dinner table this evening. Oche: “So dad, (as he always calls out to grip my full attention) what happens when a person who believes in God marries someone who does not believe in God?” Me: “Good question, son. That’s part of what I learnt today at my bible study. If a person who believes in God marries someone who does not believe in God,…

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A female colleague calls me for clarification while my son and I were carrying out a task, so I answered her on the speaker. At the end of our discussion, I said, “see you tonight,” and hung up. Then Oche (my son) asked, “dad, what do you mean by ‘see you tonight’?” 😔 I had to explain how I always work into nights, and that by the time I’m closing from work, others are resuming, so that’s when I see…

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While assisting my kids to get ready for school this morning, and as we chatted along my son began updating me about a new kid in his class who also rides on the same school bus with them. Then my daughter chipped in: Agbenu: “Is he black, white or brown? Oh! That’s being racist!” Oche: “No mama, that’s not being racist. It’s ok to describe somebody by their color. But when you use someone’s color to make fun of them…

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