The young dad, standing on the street corner is greeted with loud “How ya doin?” and friendly jostling by a group of his peers, all holding the pose of “Single Man” except this man who is toting a toddler in a push chair. The little one seems overwhelmed by the sudden flurry and begins to whimper.
“Whatʼs up with ya then?” and Dad lifts him out of the pushchair and onto the ground. The toddler takes takes a few hesitant steps then starts to cry. Dadʼs caught between wanting to chat with his friends and his responsibility for the little one.
ʻAll right then.ʼ He picks him up and puts him back in the pushchair. The child struggles and wails. ʻAll right, ya want your mam!ʼ says Dad. He takes his mobile phone out of his pocket and gives it to the child. The child stops crying and puts the phone to his ear. Heʼs hoping to hear his motherʼs voice but – nothing.
The child roars and flings the phone. ʻLook what ya did! Ya broke my phone!ʼ
The child is now wailing, nothing is stopping his tears. ʻYa wonʼt get the best of me!ʼ exclaims the Dad. Whatʼs needed for Dadʼs to step into effective parenting and meet the toddlerʼs needs?