Focus on Fathers
The Baby Wipe Bath
Marian F.
PA USA
From: NEW BEGINNINGS, Vol. 19 No. 2, March-April 2002, p. 62.
One Saturday, a few weeks
after my oldest child was born, I developed a fever. After Josef had
his morning nursing, I started his daily bath routine. My husband, Franz,
knowing I did not feel well, offered to take over and I went to bed.
Lying there, I listened to him talking to the baby and Josef's gurgled
responses. I decided to go into the room where they were to keep them
company. What I found was Franz washing the baby with baby wipes! No
fluffy towels. No carefully heated water. No lotions. Just one happy
dad and one happy baby. I went back to bed. And Franz found the great
satisfaction of caring for his baby. Like me, Franz deserved the privilege
of growing into parenthood, to find a style that was comfortable for
him and to develop confidence as a father.
Seventeen years later I can
safely say Josef has suffered no adverse effects from his baby wipe
bath. I am glad I did not interfere with Josef's bath that day. I learned
an important lesson that has stayed with me all these years and through
all four of our children: fathers are not mothers. They do things differently
and children can thrive on that difference. When I think of all the
things Franz has done with our children, I realize how limited their
experience of the world would be if they only had me, or a father who
was just like me. As our children grow, I see many of their father's
qualities in them. I expect that as the years go by, I'll continue to
see signs of Franz's influence. I know what a lasting and positive influence
my loving father has had on my life. I know that one day my children
will agree with me that a good father is a blessing, and the benefits
of being well-fathered are long-lasting.
Last updated Tuesday, October 17, 2006 by njb.
Page last edited Sun Oct 14 09:30:43 UTC 2007.
