Had some Japanese friends (and their non-Japanese partners) visiting today and like with our first baby they were somewhat amazed at how much I as a dad do (I don’t think it’s especially amazing or even rare nowadays). Basically, aside from breastfeeding, I do everything, which is by choice and also because breastfeeding is exhausting and a near full-time job and my wife needs to recuperate.

Anyway, the visit reminded me of the challenge that lies ahead of me in rural Japan and the noses that I’ll be putting out of joint when we get there. Previous visits frustrated the hell out of me because my wife’s grandma wouldn’t let me be a parent, she would drag my wife out of bed rather than let me look after my own daughter. Unfortunately, her health has deteriorated and she is in full-time care but it is an opinion that is pervasive in the elder generations that live in rural villages in Japan (and probably beyond).

Thankfully, my mother-in-law is 100% on board with our parenting balance and my father-in-law knows better than to cross her 😆