‘When I’m tired, I sometimes find it difficult to be the nice, sweet daddy’

Image: Julie van Dam Photography and private

Roy Romeijn (30) is married to Anne (28) and father of daughter Ivy (7) and son Lux (4).

Surprise

“It was on a Saturday morning at 07:25, I remember that exactly. Anne was overdue and had been pacing downstairs for two hours when she took a pregnancy test anyway. She woke me up and said the test was positive. “Good,” I said and I wanted to go back to sleep. I thought: positive, that means good news, namely not pregnant.

We were so young, I wasn’t ready for kids yet. I was doing an education, we didn’t own a house and had only been together for seven months – that picture didn’t add up in my head. I had to get used to the idea a lot. Until Anne said: ‘You will become a father anyway, but whether you become a father is up to you.’ The following week I came home with a pack of diapers and said we should go for it.”

Number two

“When we wanted a second child, we assumed it would take at least six months. Within a month Anne was pregnant again. I found the transition from one to two children tough. Ivy was two when Lux was born and still needed quite a bit of care herself, and it was difficult to divide the attention properly.”

Read also – These women love their husbands even more since he became a father: ‘He has become much nicer’ >

Romance

“Because of the unexpected first pregnancy, not everyone believed in our relationship. “They really don’t stay together,” it was said. But we’re still there. It’s important that we remain Anne and Roy, not just mom and dad. Sometimes we plan a cozy evening when the children are in bed, with a snack, drink and candles by our hot tub in the garden.”

Realize

“Lux is peace itself, just like me. Ivy is a bouncy ball and sensitive. A real girl, sometimes she changes six times a day. When I’m tired, I sometimes find it difficult to be the nice, sweet daddy. And I sometimes feel guilty that I don’t have enough time for them when work and housework are busy. “Daddy never messes with us,” Ivy said recently. Then I realize that it has indeed been too long since I have been to the playground with them.”

“I am a very protective father. I already know that I will pick up Lux and Ivy later after going out. I don’t care what time it is, daddy is there.”

Small happiness

“Sometimes we play cinema. Then we drag the mattresses down and watch movies with chips and chocolates. And then we all sleep comfortably in the living room. Of course I don’t sleep very well, but the kids have a golden evening and that’s what it’s all about. I think those are the most beautiful moments as a father, when I see those faces all beaming. And when they happily run up to me when I come home after work.”

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