Daddy Attention Disorder (DAD)
A common occurrence among dads, young and old, and oft misdiagnosed as forgetfulness, laziness or other afflictions is Daddy Attention Disorder.
While not formally (or informally) recognized by medical professionals, DAD is a serious impairment to many fathers but especially those that are the primary caretakers or work from home. While strikes 9 out of 10 fathers nationwide it is debilitating for the aforementioned group.
I suspect this is because work, almost by definition, sucks. And men hope silently every day for a distraction from this tedious and mind numbing task. While we will take anything, up to and including zombie apocalypses, meteor strikes and the need to understand and then research the next topic that pops up in our browser, a crying/screaming/calling child will suffice nicely. In fact, perfectly.
A child’s cry is a siren’s song to the Dads of the world, and this is scientifically attributed to the fact that this cry could signal something as simple as a dirty diaper, being hungry, having a toy stuck under the fridge OR they are warning you of said zombie apocalypse or approaching meteor. There’s no way of knowing, hence it is prudent to check. While this may result in unfulfilled tasks, the garbage being left inside or grass uncut priorities must be maintained.
The other reason is that dad’s fix things. We fix doors, and sinks, and cars, and the time on the microwave. A wailing, crying child is something that, obviously, requires fixing. Since most fathers are years out of high school and aren’t NFL running backs or NASCAR drivers, our days of celebrating large victories are past and our moments of glory are few and far between. Daddy Attention Disorder is manifested through this missing part of our lives when we peacock through the house holding the newly changed baby high like a trophy or strut away from the refrigerator having retrieved the previously lost toy with three taped together serving spoons and a flexible straw. There will be no ticker tape parades or statues erected in our honor, and seizing these opportunities is of critical importance to the DAD sufferer.
Additionally, DAD is a result of this attention being one of the things we can do that matter. Our existence, upon birth of child, is relegated to at least tertiary importance in the household, or in my case, senary, behind son, daughter, dog, dog, laundry. This means sixth for those so afflicted they don’t even have time to look it up.
Women, not understanding this affliction, are prone to negativity and sometimes outright hostility when confronted with the symptoms of this common malady. However, I have hopes that the coming revelations in medical science will alleviate this stigma and be recognized for the burden that it is.
It is important that support and recognition be a part of the treatment in this malady, as your man is going through many crucial changes that he doesn’t understand as of yet. Assure him that he is more than just the breadwinner, the yard man and trash taker outer, and reinforce his importance in the household without resorting to order of importance.
It’s easy to be frustrated and understandable. However, ladies, you should recognize this as the burden that it is and despite things going unfinished around the house or at work it is of crucial importance to……………………………..
