My Dad has never been one to be interested in babies. I don’t know how he acted when my brother and I were little, but I never remember him purposely holding a baby.
I was the exact same way. Ace was the first baby that I had ever held that was younger than 6-7 months. Babies always scared me for some reason. My wife always asked why I would never hold them. If I broke a baby that belonged to me I would feel horrible. If I broke someone elses baby I don’t think I could live with myself. So I just avoided it altogether.
My Dad has always had a liking for Ace. Ace is his first and only grandchild, and it is as new and exciting for him as it is for me! However, Ace hasn’t always had a liking for his Grandpa… 🙁
My Dad lives about an hour and a half away from where I live. He was born and raised in the country and not is a big fan of coming to the city. So, Momma and I usually take one weekend a month and drive down to see my parents. We’ll visit my Mom on Saturday and then my Dad on Sunday. So Ace only gets to see his Grandma and Grandpa about once a month.
My Mom is a natural with kids so she has no problem, but my Dad has is the exact opposite.
When I was born, back in what feels like the stone ages, my Dad got extremely sick. He was in the hospital for a few weeks after almost dying from pneumonia.
When he was release from the hospital I was probably a month or so old and had only seen my Dad a handful of times. He came home and picked me up and I did nothing but scream!
Every time he has picked up Ace the same thing happens. Ace immediately goes from happy boy, to scared shitless boy, to get-me-the-hell-away-from-this-guy boy! I think it brings back memories for my Dad of when I was little.
I always feel bad for my Dad when this happens. I know he feels like crap and he wants nothing more to hold him and play with him a little bit.
We went to my Dad’s house this past weekend, and Ace did the exact same thing as soon as we got there. My Dad’s heart hit the floor once again. However, after about a half an hour Ace started to warm up to him. My Dad picked him up and started walking out to the barn to show him the pigs.
My Dad was so proud walking with Ace in his arm! I haven’t seen him smile like that in a long time! He held Ace and walked around the yard for probably an hour and a half, and there was no way that anyone else was going to interfere with their fun!
I think this was the day that Grandpa has been waiting for the past seven months! I’m sure Ace will grow up and have a lot of good times with his Grandpa. Grandpa is a fun guy, but he can be a little scary when you first meet him… 🙂
What a sweet and heartwarming story. My dad liked my kids when they were babies. My oldest is 19 and my younger son is 16 (we lost our third son when he was 10 months old, he’d be 12 now). My oldest is bipolar and made the mistake of trying meth which put him into a manic paranoid, things drippong off of cars mode. He was scared to death(Thank you Lord.)Anyway, I called my dad because my youngest bro is bipolar. I was looking for empathy. My dad told me to punch him in the face for trying drugs. All 3 of my bros have done the drug thing, me being the exception. I have no idea why he said that but let’s say I won’t be phoning him anytime soon.
I’m glad you, your wife, Ace and your dad had a terrific time!!!
That’s gotta be an amazing feeling. And I bet it’s only going to get better. Before long, Ace will be tugging at your pants starting Thu night going “can we go to grandpa’s? can we go to grandpa’s? can we go? can we go?” I lost my dad to cancer before he got to meet my son. Marcus was 18 months old when it happened, but my dad worked overseas. When he got sick, we flew over, but missed him by only 90 minutes. One of the deepest blows of my life. But grandma loves him more than enough for both of them.
sometimes kids just need time to warm up
maybe next time Ace could draw Granddad a picture before the visit and can give it to him when hes warmed up
Maybe keeping this great memory alive through talking with Ace about it often will help too
Im pleased they ended up having a great time
sweet.
that’s another aspect not often thought about, how peoples kids change their relationship with their own parents.
@Janice: Sorry to hear you and your Dad are not getting along. I hope all works out for you.
@BusyDad: 90 Minutes? Holy cow… I don’t know what I wil do when my Dad passes…
@Jen: I’ll try that. Thanks!
@XBox: Ya, my wife keeps telling me (joking I think) that my parents aren’t looking forward to me coming down to see them anymore. They just want to see Ace. I hope that is not true! 🙂
Was he holding Ace for a half and hour before he calmed down? That would have been intense. Great story and I totally relate. Dads (grandads that is) can take our kids or it can be a disaster. Glad to hear yours had a breakthrough…sounds like he deserved it.
@Joe: No…Grandpa don’t do crying kids. 🙂 One whimper and he gets a little concerned, two whimpers and he is yelling for Mom and Dad.. 🙂
I really enjoyed reading this. My dad died when I was 26, well before my marriage/parenting days. He too, was a farmer, and would have had my boys out in the goat pen and on the back of a horse before they could walk I’m sure!
In no time Ace will be begging Grandpa to show him those pigs!
I liked this post alot, Jared. My dad was never around when I was a kid (or as an adult for that matter) and I always wonder what it is like to grow up with a male figure in the house. I’m glad your pops got to finally enjoy holding your little man and that the two of them have bonded. Its good to hear about other men who actually WANT to be in a child’s life, but then again most people reading your blog are like that anyway.
@Honeybell: Yeah…I’m kind of afraid of the things that Ace and Grandpa will be doing. I know I will let Ace do a lot of things that most people would probably question, but Grandpa will probably let him do anything… 🙂
@TDub: I just like writing the name TDub. 🙂 Thanks for the comment!
[…] in October, I wrote a post about Ace’s Grandpa, my Dad. Ace and his Grandpa didn’t get a long too good at first. Grandpa would say […]