Full-Time Dad: 'Papa Too"

It's my first week as a full-time dad.? I look back with gratitude over nearly 9.5 years at my last job, and I take deep breathes looking ahead to what comes next, starting with full-time childcare duties, as baby Yuna is too young for daycare.

She taught me a lesson recently: Baby Yuna (1.5 years old) loves to say the phrases "papa too," mama too", "Yuna too" -- for so many reasons.? What strikes me is when she says it in resistant moments, almost encouraging herself to muster courage. Not everything is fun, easy, or pleasurable.? Sometimes we just have to do things.? When a child sees that we're in it together, there's a big difference.

Without knowing something is "papa too", from a kid's perspective, what's the difference between what they're experiencing versus bullying?? If I make her wear sunscreen, she doesn't know why.? She knows I'm putting something tacky and smelly on her face, and rubbing it into her forehead. But if she internalizes that "Papa too" -- then it's not just being done to her. I'm on her team and she wants to know she isn't alone here. There are probably myriad reasons, not just one reason that it comforts her: she knows it's a connection between us, it's not just happening to her, she can 'help' me put mine one, etc.? What comes up for me though is: I don't want to raise a bully (recommend reading How to Raise Kids Who Aren't Assholes by Melinda Wenner Moyer, for science-based approaches in common speak) -- I want to raise a person with empathy.

I have this opportunity right now, to show Yuna that we are similar, and if she and I are similar, then she can feel similar to other people, and feel similar to all people.? Philosophically, I'm trying to plant the seed of empathy for the future. And I am realizing that: this time with her also helps grow the seeds of empathy within myself.