Happy Father’s Day to everyone and particularly to our #HottestDads! Thanks to all the dads and readers who participated. You’re all winners to The Swaddle Team, but after our readers voted, we have the final three: Congrats, Kaushik, Rish, and Sudhir! Learn more about these fine, upstanding gentlemen through their full interviews below.

KAUSHIK TIWARI

The Swaddle: Please introduce us to your family.  

My wife, Kalpana is a home maker, and we have two pretty daughters, Samriddhi and Saanvi, aged 4 years 9 months and 1 year 7 months respectively. That’s our small and content family, for now.

TS: What do you enjoy most about being a father?

The joy I feel when each and every day the moment I set my foot in the house, I get a hero’s welcome with both my daughters (one can’t even speak properly yet) running to me showering their affection and care. It’s the feeling of contentment nothing else can bestow on you in this whole wide world.

TS: What’s your trick to score brownie points with your kid(s)?

My daughters have a very high level of attachment towards me. Most of the times all I need to do (even after a good round of scolding) is just pull and hug them tight, and that sets them rolling again. I also do play with them for 30 minutes everyday at least. We try our hand at different things, including wrestling, with I becoming the punching bag. For my elder daughter, she demands going out with me for shopping once in a while without her mother (to get her demands met), and I do comply.

TS: Which parent does all the dirty work (doctor’s appointments, school applications, PTA meetings, etc) and who does the fun stuff?

My wife has been on bed rest for last six months, and am required to fill in for both of us. I rarely find it cumbersome even despite my busy schedule. She, though, has been the lead in those matters in the past. As for fun part, I believe we both get our share of fun with the daughters teaming up to entertain us on a regular basis.

TS: What advice would you give dads-to-be?

The key is to keep it simple. Parenting cannot be taught. Get prepared to sacrifice a lot of sleep and do keep capturing your memories. They will certainly bring a smile to your face even in the toughest of times when you look back at them.

TS: Did you get paternity leave? Do you think paternity leave should be extended?

l have possibly been very fortunate to have got unlimited leaves during both the deliveries, but I didn’t need them beyond three days. With the advancement in medical facilities these days, I feel they are sufficient. Yet, it would vary case-to-case basis I feel.

TS: What is the one fatherhood move/tip you picked up from your dad or mom?

My father was fiercely protective of his family. That made him dominant at times. My mother was extremely spiritual and believed in a lot of liberty and easy approach towards life. I feel they both complemented each other well and there were, though rare, occasional instances of role reversals. This helped all of us siblings remain morally correct and responsible citizens. I believe it helps to use conventional parenting methods at times to get the message across strongly and create and nurture right value system.

TS: How has fatherhood changed you/your outlook on life?

Fatherhood instills in you a deep sense of responsibility that you probably never felt before. Thoughts about your children’s wellbeing and a secure future starts preside over each and every move you make in your life, be it your career or otherwise. To sum it up, it completes you as a human being.

RISH OBEROI

TS: Please introduce us to your family.

My wife’s name is Rohini Oberoi, and we have a nine-month-old son, Aahir Oberoi.

TS: What do you enjoy most about being a father?

I get to be the coolest person on this planet for my son. Everyone is okay, but his dad is a superhero — Spiderman if you will…

TS: What’s your trick to score brownie points with your kid(s)?

He loves playing with a water bottle, so I sneak that to him when his mother isn’t looking. … Aahir and I know how to make use of those moments wisely.

TS: Which parent does all the dirty work (doctor’s appointments, school applications, PTA meetings, etc) and who does the fun stuff?

I do … Of course, I drive them to the doctors appointments, I sit and listen to my wife ask many questions in meetings; at home … I support morally when she is changing him, putting him to sleep and waking up every 2 hrs … It’s hard work but someone has to do it …

TS: What advice would you give dads-to-be?

Enjoy! Every! Moment! Sleep a lot before it happens. And expect your wife to never be the same … you, my friend, are now last place in the food chain.

TS: Did you get paternity leave? Do you think paternity leave should be extended?

I have my own business, I never get a day off.

TS: What is the one fatherhood move/tip you picked up from your dad or mom?

Help him live his dream …. Lucky for me, Aahir’s biggest dream is to touch the lights in the house. I can handle that much for now.

TS: How has fatherhood changed you/your outlook on life?

It’s the most rewarding experience. It’s the best part of my day to come home to my child (and, if Aahir didn’t annoy wife) and wife, too …. I feel blessed.

SUDHIR SAILWAL

TS: Please introduce us to your family.

My immediate nuclear family consists of four brats apart from me: my wife, Kuldip, and my three daughters, Ishita (15yrs), Annora (8yrs) and Elysia (8yrs). We are fortunate enough to have guidance and supervision of my parents and father-in-law.

TS: What do you enjoy most about being a father?

Being a father itself is such a joy; being able to fulfil every small or big reasonable requirement of my kids is what I enjoy the most.

TS: What’s your trick to score brownie points with your kid(s)?

The best trick, which always works for me, is to plan and have a family outing as per my daughters’ wish.

TS: Which parent does all the dirty work (doctor’s appointments, school applications, PTA meetings, etc) and who does the fun stuff?

It’s my wife who does all dirty work, and it’s me who gets the fun stuff.

TS: Did you get paternity leave? Do you think paternity leave should be extended?

No, I just got a day’s leave and felt bad about it. Yes, paternity leave needs to be extended as I feel it’s very crucial period when your wife needs you the most.

TS: What is the one fatherhood move/tip you picked up from your dad or mom?

Never use force to make a kid understand your point of view.

TS: How has fatherhood changed you/your outlook on life?

It does bring in some additional changes in your life; you become more caring, more sober, more punctual, more dedicated, more loving, more ….… a never-ending list.

TS: What advice would you give dads-to-be?

Prepare your fatherhood duties well in advance, especially your time, as your wife and newborn will need you the most in those initial moments.