Yesterday, I was on the metro going home.  In the aisle next to me sat a couple with a baby boy in a stroller.  The mom seemed quiet and withdrawn from the baby boy.  The dad seemed much occupied in the boy’s interests: reading to him, and comforting him all the way to their destination.  I couldn’t help but wonder if the mom was withdrawn, because the dad paid so much attention to the baby.  He hardly talked to the mom, or paid her any attention.  They sat next to each other like any other two people on the metro, and not like a married couple.

The other moms on the metro seemed to look at the dad with great envy because he was such a good dad.  Many dads are not into their families as they are into their careers.  The other moms kept looking over to the dad and smiling at his kindness towards his baby.  Surprisingly, the mom seemed even more irritated by the other moms’ friendly smiles. 

In society, most mothers are the caretakers despite of their full time jobs. But in this case, the roles seemed reversed.  It is refreshing to see both parents take an active role in their child’s life, and working together as a team.  The full participation of parents can instill confidence in children and set a solid foundation for their future as adults.