Daddy is a caretaker too!

You typically think of the mom being the caretaker for a new baby, but dads testosterone levels change too! They do become more nurturing when they have a little one in the house! Awe!

FROM NBC: Bringing home baby means big hormonal changes for dad -- not just mom. Researchers at northwestern university followed over six hundred men in their twenties for nearly five years.

They found most had high levels of testosterone before becoming a father -- something that happens among other male mammals to help them find a mate. But, after men brought home a newborn their testosterone levels plummeted.

Researchers suspect the body does this to help caretaking instincts kick in.

-NewsAnchorMom Jen

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Role of Dad

I recently offended a fellow journalist (who does a great job by the way) when I posted the "Welcome" blog and alluded to the idea that the "mom" does everything when it comes to kids. I said," I always get up with my kids. They always come to my side of the bed because I'm the mom."

I am so thrilled to say a dad was offended. After thinking about it, dads should be offended when people act like they don't take an active role in their kid's lives. I certainly didn't mean anything negative by the post, but I am glad to get the topic of "who should be getting up with the kids" on the table. It sounds trivial, but it can become a big deal in a household!

Here's what the offended father wrote:

"Your January 3rd "Welcome" post has me a bit concerned. You see, I'm the one that gets up with Tommy everyday. He comes to my side of the bed first because he knows it's time for "Daddy Breakfast" when he wake sup in the morning. Every weekday I get up early so I am out of the shower in time to get him dressed and fed, and then I take him to preschool. On the weekends, I get up with him so my wife can sleep as long as she wants - even if that means noon or later.

I know you didn't mean any harm by your post, and I concede that in most cases, your scenario is right and it's the Mom doing most, if not all of the work. But it isn't true all the time. More and more Dads are increasingly active in traditional "Mom" roles. We kiss boo-boos, we change diapers, we bring treats for class parties, we know all the words to the songs on the Curious George CD, and all the names of Thomas' engine friends. That doesn't even begin to address the small but growing number of stay at home Dads."

-Ahlthingsconsidered

I wrote the blog about moms and stereotypical Mr.Moms as tongue and cheek, but it is a good issue to discuss seriously.

Who gets up with the kids in your house? What scenario would be fair to both parents? Is it ever fair for the mom to be the only one who gets up with the kids in the middle of the night or in the morning?

I have to give my husband credit. He is a great dad. Yes, he is a deep sleeper, but if I wake him up, he always takes his turn with a crying child. Here's a picture of him spending 5 hours putting a toy kitchen together this Christmas. He works a lot of hours, but always makes time for his boys.

There are so many different roles a father can take. It seems to me, it's up to each individual family to determine what works best for them. My hope is that just bringing up this issue will help make your family dynamic a little stronger.

-NewsAnchorMom Jen