Dad's Way

Imagine for a moment that you're my husband...

- You're energetic, antsy, can't sit still, and you must be doing something at all times
- You have sixteen unfinished projects going and have just started another
- Your wife has yet another meeting and has left you at home with the baby for the second night in a row
- Your newest project is pulling you, tugging you, nagging at you...
- Your baby is willing to play independently as long as you're within sight
- Your baby, however, is not real keen on the sound of the nail gun

What do you do? How do you cope? Is there any possible solution to this problem?

Well, of course there is, you're Adam Tolman! You're one of the most innovative, determined people Jen knows! You will prevail!

And here's how:

One of the topics that the doula who taught our birthing class emphasized was how Moms and Dads do things differently. She encouraged each parent to stay open-minded when it comes to the others' parenting style because it's bound to be different from your own. Of all the things we learned that day, this is the one thing we come back to again and again. We have each taken this advice to heart and have learned to let each other care for Adalyn in our own ways. I think it has probably been some of the best advice we've received. As you can imagine, we would never have had these photos if Adam wasn't put in charge once in a while. And I can assure you, as I look back on photos of Adalyn over the next several decades, these will rate amongst my favorite.

Apparently this worked just fine for Adalyn. She didn't mind the muffs, and was able to tolerate the sound of the nail gun with them on. My husband was able to work on his latest project, Adalyn got to play, and I was able to attend my meeting. All of these Tolmans ended the evening happy.