Raising Daddy

The other night, when the children and I were sitting on the couch watching a movie, I went to sleep on Daniel's shoulder. Daniel was very good-natured about it, and rested his hand on my head.

In fact, both boys are often very spontaneously and quietly affectionate. Daniel will sometimes come over to where I'm sitting, or lying down in bed, and just curl over my shoulders. Ian will sometimes do something like stroke my head all of a sudden, without saying anything, especially if we're already relaxed and watching TV or reading a story. With Daniel, the spontaneous affection is especially impressive, because he seems to cultivate an extra-tough-guy image. But when push comes to shove, so to speak, he really is a teddy bear, whether he means to be or not.

(October 7, 20110