Fatherhood Sneaks Up On You

brian — Sun, 16 Dec 2007 21:39:42 +0000

As I drove around the other day. I had trouble finding a song I wanted to listen to on the radio. Given that I have satellite radio, that really bothered me. I should always find something I like on there.

Eventually, I did come across a good song and bopped to the beat as I cruised down the road. As the end of the song neared, I came to a horrible realization.

I had just willingly enjoyed a song from “High School Musical 2.”

I don’t have a real problem with the hit Disney movie. Bridget loves it, and I think the people involved have done a pretty good job with offering a fun, wholesome message.

But I’m 39 years old. I should only listen to that music when my kid makes me. Sadly, I have officially become a Dad.

I put this off for as long as I could. Creating my little fortress in the basement with an HDTV and video game console merely delayed the inevitable.

I have maintained for years that I remain 19 years old inside. That’s how I get away with spending as much time as I can on a Playstation before my child counteracts that by forcing me to listen to their music and watch their TV shows.

The thing is, I find myself easily entertained by some of the same things as second-graders so I don’t always realize when I cross the line from immaturity into fatherhood.

The immature side of me gets the humor of cartoons like “Fairly Oddparents.” But the fatherly side of me doesn’t move quick enough when “High School Musical” comes on. These TV programmers are tricky.

I blame myself for some of this. As Bridget gets older, I want to make sure she tries to experience a lot of new things.

So I suggest she watch “Hannah Montana,” and I turn Radio Disney on in my car when we head out for a drive.

Now I have intimate knowledge of many “Hannah Montana” episodes and can’t can’t even get the key in the ignition before she asks me to turn to Radio Disney.

I didn’t think things would turn out this way. I figured adding Radio Disney to my presets would entertain Bridget and avoid complaints about listening to my music.

No one told me that I would end up enjoying some of the songs as much as she does. I didn’t anticipate singing along to songs aimed at tweens. I never knew that I would actually have to choose between The Clash and The Jonas brothers.

But that’s what happens when the people programming the radio station play the same 25 songs over and over again. At first, you’re just appeasing your child. Over time, you can’t help but find yourself sucked in since you just heard the same song three times in 90 minutes.

A few days later, you hear part of the song, but can’t place it. You like the beat so you don’t change the channel. By the time you know what you are listening to, it’s too late.

And that’s when you really become a parent, whether you like it or not.

Parenthood – Regular Guy

Fatherhood Sneaks Up On You