When Dads Stay Home: A Story of Statues and Baby Slings
Image: Graeme Robertson/The Guardian
Imagine walking down a busy street in London and seeing something strange: a giant statue of a famous football player with a baby strapped to his chest! That’s exactly what happened recently, and it’s all part of a bigger story about dads and their newborn babies.
In the UK right now, new dads only get to stay home for two weeks after their baby is born. That’s not much time to help mom, get to know the baby, or figure out this whole parenting thing. Some people think this isn’t fair, and they want to change it. But how do you get people to pay attention to something like parental leave? Well, a group called “The Dad Shift” came up with a clever idea.
They went around London with baby dolls and slings, and started attaching them to statues of famous men. Suddenly, the statue of a stern-looking engineer had a cuddly baby nestled in his arms. A bronze footballer looked ready to score a goal while carrying his little one. It was a funny sight, but it made people stop and think.
The group wants the government to give dads more time off when they have a baby. They say it’s good for everyone – moms get more help, babies get to know both parents, and dads don’t miss out on those precious early days. Plus, when both parents share the work at home, it can make things fairer at work too.
You might be wondering, “Do dads even want to stay home longer?” Well, when someone asked a bunch of dads, nine out of ten said they wished they could be a bigger part of their children’s lives. That’s a lot of dads who want to be there for bedtime stories, diaper changes, and midnight feedings.
Now, the Dad Shift group is writing a letter to the person in charge – the Prime Minister. They’re asking for changes that would give dads more time at home, without having to worry about money. They hope that by bringing attention to this issue, they can make life better for new families all across the UK.
So, the next time you see a statue in your town, imagine it wearing a baby sling. It might look silly, but it reminds us of something important: that every parent, mom or dad, should have the chance to be there for their new baby. What do you think? Should dads get more time at home when a new baby arrives?
Bidisha Ghosh, Staff Reporter
