Today is the first day of a brand new year – 2012, and marks my counting down to a new phase of my life – Fatherhood.
My wife and I are expecting our first child, a boy whom our Gynaecologist estimates will arrive end January 2012. The date favored by many of our family members is 30 January 2012, as it is considered an auspicious date (the 8th day of the Lunar New Year). Friends have advised us to speak to our baby everyday to tell him to arrive on 30 January 2012.
Initially, I was for the idea of “telling” the baby which date to make his grand entrance into this world. Until 2 friends whom I considered mentors asked me this question: “You want your baby to live according to your expectation even before he is born???” That shook me hard.
Many of us live in the expectations of our families, friends, colleagues, communities, societies, nations etc, and we must have heard of others saying and experienced ourselves the fatigue of living under EXPECTATIONS. You must have felt weighed down, trapped, and frustrated, haven’t you?
Fatherhood is a new journey for me, and I am sure I will encounter many learning experiences in the months and years ahead. Like any parent, I resolve to do my best for my child, and let me start by letting my son CHOOSE his own birthday.
Son, it’s your choice, I respect it. Anticipating your arrival……..
