So I’m a Dad, a regular guy, and by regular guy I mean I’m an artist, tattoo artist painter, art director, mas man and multitalented designer of things, but the job that I like the most is Daddy. No one wrote the handbook on fatherhood so really, once you’re hands on yuh’ good to go. My children are my navel string; I would do anything for them. Some say they will die for their children, I live for mine. I work from home, so I recently decided to take on the responsibility of dealing with the kids during the day and let me say this, I have a tremendous amount of respect for stay at home mothers. Medals, you all deserve medals. So here’s a basic day. Let’s start from the night before. My youngest, Ming-Lee, is two-years-old and she has been attached to my hip since birth, her first word was “da” much to my wife’s dismay. Anyhoo she has Daddy radar, she knows where I’m at all times, so if I’m working late she’s up right there with me. I work late cause during the day it’s like hell on wheels. My wife leaves early for work, and I get my son Xi’an (who’s four) ready for school. Ovaltine is a must, as is his morning Mickymouse club house fix which I think its chupidness but it keeps him occupied for a lil’ while.I get Ming up from her slumber and into my truck to drop Xi’an to school. Back home, I put Ming back down (because she’s still sleeping) and clean up, then I have a small window to read correspondence and emails. Once Ming gets up it’s tea time. I’d take a couple calls and before you know it, it’s 12:30 so we would go pick up Xi’an from school.
Darren Cheewah: A day in the life of a Mr Mom
Date:
Fri, 2012-06-15
Artist, graphic designer and tattooist Darren Cheewah may look like an unconventional dad but spend a minute with him and his kids and one thing becomes clear, he loves them with a passion and he takes his role as a dad seriously. As we recognise the role fathers play in our lives on the eve of Father’s Day, Cheewah gives us some insight into his life as a stay at home dad.
Renz, my wife, will cook the night before to make it easier for me but lunchtime rolls over too quickly. It’s the only time the children are quiet and this makes me want to feed them more but after 15 minutes of peace there is food all over Ming and juice on Xi’an, I wonder why I bathe them in the first place. This particular evening I now send an email and in that time I swear lord I turn my back for two seconds and is two rolls of toilet paper in the toilet, a tube of tooth paste full of water and where they get popcorn from, we don't have any popcorn. I call my wife who says yes, we have popcorn up in the cupboard so that mean Xi’an climb up to get it LAWD. Hahahaha it is what it is, yuh cyah get vex, and I know I must have given my folks the same hell. Renz comes home and she talks about her day, I talk about mine, I link with my eldest daughter Blue who’s 12 and just did S.E.A and has her own itinerary. She’s such a beautiful young person, growing up so fast. It’s all about connecting with her friends and finding herself now. Back to Ming and Xi’an, Renz and I read them a story, do home work, play, tire them out then give them a bath and it’s bed by 9pm. We try to watch a movie but she gets sleepy and then I try to get some work done. Ming gets up and here we go, it’s 2:30 in the morning and I’m now looking to get to bed before I start it all over again. I LOVE my children but I also love their aunties at their daycare: Aunty Gillian and Aunty Lulu, I thought I could handle it but Jah you all are troopers. Xi’an and Ming-Lee will see you in July please God.
