Nick Duerden in the Guardian - His wife "leaves me fully alone with my daughter for the first time" at 16 months!

[beanieb]

piece

Is this normal, for a father to not be left with their child alone until they are over a year old?

Nonparent

The problem mumsnetters have with Nick D is not that he says parenthood is not like a Pampers ad, because we all know that but that he says nothing that hasn't been said better, more concisely and more wittily in this forum 10000 times over.

I think you are confusing mumsnet with babycentre

Seeker, hello. I didn't mind her reaction when she came home to see me in tears over the film at all. She has always been incredibly encouraging and, I hope, confident in my parenting abilities, but still, she is a mother, she worries. If she had any real fear, she'd never have left me with my daughter in the first place.

Ah of course Nick, you can't say owt about FG in case you blow a chance of another article commission. most sensible

nick aer you still here? i am somewhat late, you know, young children getting in the way and all that.

i know it's been said before. you come across as a real jerk in your piece. that doesn't necessarily mean you are a jerk, perhaps you just need a better editor.

it's not the drunkenness that bothered me- we've all been there- it's more the "give me a medal" attitude.

somewhat harsh jujumaman

Troll? Have I called anyone names because i disagreed with them? I'm sorry, i'm really not that. I will leave quietly.

but other than that, kudos to you for coming on here. you've got balls, i gives ya that. still won't buy your book, though, i am afraid...

One trouble I have with men finding pregnancy and parenting hard is, don't they get it, it's HARDER for the mother? Really, by far the worst bits, the only bits you can't contract out, are the bits the mother does. I was absolutely terrified of giving birth. All 3 times. and hated pregnancy. And wasn't that keen on painful intrusive breastfeeding either. And on top of that women also have to give up their habits of touring South American in a campervan, like the men might have to.

That's why, to me, this sort of article seems particularly self-indulgent. The mothers have all those worries the fathers have, and all the extra ones (which to me were the worst bits).

Nick - have you enjoyed yourself here today?

(aside: as a loyal grauniad reader i think PW's idea of guest-editing the FG is bloody brilliant!!!! it's just not been the same since Julie Meyerson was outed, her teenage column gave me so much relief from the toddler/baby hell)

Aw you are no fun nonparent

tell us more about the campervan and how can you trampoline without disgracing yourself

i'm sorry shineon, i was just shocked at all the nasty comments and name calling and i thought parents were supposed to be sensible?

Fennel - Great post. I totally agree.

sensible doesn't have to mean mushy-brained nonparent...

Is this your baybee free forum nonparent?

There's a nonparents forum? Where? I'm outta here!

Aw Trolls can be fun Nonparent - really didn't mean to insult you. Stay and stir, it's fun . + hey wasn't it my idea to guest edit FG. Pwonk always has loads of good ideas, so am claiming htat as mine

Thanks shineon, it's all education i suppose. it ceryainly has been an interesting read!

I share the frustration at the Guardian Family section. It seems that any half competent writer can whack out a few thousand words about their (or any relative/friend's) experience of parenting, or being a child, and the job's a good 'un.

There is no pesky need to get the facts right, no concern about being sued, no danger of being controversial in a way that might piss off your boss. Easy to edit, pics provided.

All very cosy. And pretty fucking lazy if you ask me. But what do I know.