Category Archives: Pop Psychology

Reflections of an adoptive dad

Posted on September 9, 2011 by

It’s 9am on a busy weekday morning. Jean, my wife, is sick and I’m in charge. I get everything with a face out of the house to give her some space. I’m holding two leashes (one is attached to the … Continue reading →

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Party pack politics – where is my goodie bag?

Posted on February 3, 2010 by

The kids have chased each other around the garden, they’ve sung Happy Birthday and eaten the cake. It’s now my worst time of the party – saying goodbye to the birthday child’s mom. I dread it because I know that … Continue reading →

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Dads must stop the wussification of society (part 2)

Posted on December 13, 2009 by

 Dangerous Thing Number One: Play with Fire Khwezi, a PS2 control in hand, is slamming into virtual cars when I toss him a box of matches. “Let’s have some real fun,” I say. “Let’s burn stuff.” We go outside and … Continue reading →

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Dads must make a stand against the wussification of society

Posted on December 6, 2009 by

“Khwezi,” I said, throwing my son the car keys, “there comes a time in every young man’s life when his father teaches him to drive.” Khwezi’s eyes grew big. The Shrink’s eyes grew even bigger. “Excuse me?” she huffed. “It’s … Continue reading →

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Labour is all about the delivery (and making tea)

Posted on November 29, 2009 by

“ILY?” I typed into my cellphone and hit send. I’d been SMSing these three letters to the Shrink every 15 minutes since the day she was due to give birth to our daughter. The letters are shorthand for In Labour … Continue reading →

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Power (naps) to the fathers

Posted on November 2, 2009 by

I take a step. I wipe my red eyes. I drag my foot forward. I take another step. Marcus looks at me knowingly. “How long haven’t you slept for?” he asks. I look at my watch. “About 11 months.” I … Continue reading →

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Adopt or die

Posted on October 25, 2009 by

The official-looking envelope arrived in the postbox. I tore it open. I’d been waiting for it for more than 18 months. The piece of paper that I’d pulled out confirmed my pop status. It was an adoption order issued by … Continue reading →

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Present tense

Posted on October 25, 2009 by

I was on a mission. I needed information. I knew that The Shrink wouldn’t buckle under interrogation. I could target Rachel, but she’s just 11 months old and I needed more details than “da-da”, “noh-noh” and “mah-mah”. There was only … Continue reading →

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Discretion is the better part of cringing

Posted on October 11, 2009 by

“WHAT’S that?” Khwezi asks. I take a deep breath. Khwezi, my five-year-old son, is pointing at something. Please don’t let him be pointing at what I think he’s pointing at, I beg. You see, we’re in the locker room at … Continue reading →

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I’m feeling a bit Ancerotic

Posted on September 13, 2009 by

 ”Don’t panic,” the shrink said – and no sooner had she told me not to panic I got heart palpitations. If there’s one thing I’ve learnt while cruising this planet for the past 38 years is that when people tell … Continue reading →

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