Even though I am not a father, I can definitely relate to David Osbourne's Beyond the Cult of Fatherhood. On thanksgiving last year, my stepmother gave birth to a beautiful baby boy, Alexander. While I was not the every-day caretaker of Alex, every once in a while I was asked to watch him. I can remember one specific day when I realized how much energy it takes to take care of a baby.
             Nancy, my stepmother, asked if I would watch Alex for the day while she took a test for her job in the city. I obliged, looking forward to cuddling and playing with him all day. She left me numbers to reach her at, and gave me plenty of formula to give him when he became hungry. Not even five minutes after she left, Alex started hysterically crying. The first thing that ran through my mind was to feed him. I ran to the kitchen, and grabbed the bottle that was already made. He pushed the bottle away with his hands, and continued to scream. After 35 minutes of walking, diaper changing, patty cake, and just about every toy in the closet, he finally stopped crying. I was thoroughly exhausted and she had been gone less than an hour.
             Alex really enjoys sticking foreign objects into his mouth, just like every other baby. Chasing him around everywhere and pulling small things from his hands became second nature that day. That was when I realized how much responsibility it takes to watch a baby. If I took my eyes off of him for one second, he could have very easily choked on something.
             I now have a new found respect for mothers and fathers. They go from hell and back every day of their lives. I can't even fathom having to deal with the things I was dealing with every day. I guess love is a powerful motivational tool.
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