If there’s anything I take pride in, it’s my three great kids. So I’d look for any excuse to write about them. Well, here’s a great excuse! I’ve noticed having children in medical school is fairly rare and having three is even less the norm. There’s no doubt that being a dad and a medical student is exciting and traumatic all at the same time. Nevertheless, it’s a joy. I’m thankful they have a wonderful mother (my beautiful wife) who makes most things happen.

So, in order to give you a little glimpse into the mysterious world of med school fatherhood, here’s a day in the life of a med school dad (at least 90% accurate)

6:05 am I think one child just jumped in the bed. I’m not quite sure. I’m falling out of the bed! Yep, one person extra.
6:15 am Snooze button
6:20 am One more child in the bed. I’m falling out but holding on!
6:35 am The third child jumps on my head. Now I’m awake! I realize I slept through the second alarm. Run!
To 6:58 am Get ready, search for my stethoscope in the dark, where’s that lab coat?!!, eat something out of my kid’s snack drawer for breakfast (not recommended as part of a healthy diet), kiss my kids and wife and wish them a good day as they smile at me from the warm bed.
*In my wife’s defence (she insisted on this!) they’ll jump up at 7:02 am and run around getting ready for school. Important point!!*
6:59 am Running to the bus stop.
7 am Caught the bus. Relief. I settle into the seat semi-comatose. Should I study on the bus? Nah.
7:45 am Catch the second bus at the bridge. No seat. I’m standing trying not to hit anyone in the head with my book bag full of Gray’s Anatomy and Histology textbooks. (Yes, I actually did that once)
8:10 am Arrive at the Tupper. Coffee!! (Thank God for Tim’s)
8 to 5 You know all about this (Commercial break)
5 pm On the way home!
6 pm I’m home! (I love this part!) I’m generally inundated with colourful creations and stories all at the same time. Simultaneously, our golden retriever tries to lick me to death. In under 45 seconds, I look at a colouring sheet, promise to play a game after supper, stave off a dog attack, and break up a fight. Impressive!
6:05 pm I try to help with dinner but get the impression I’m generally not helping. Set the table!!
Up to 7 pm Dinner and dinner conversation. I learn lots. Did you know carrots help your eyes. Who knew? Our son tells me all about his gang of grade primary ninjas who fight the cheetah girls every lunch and recess time. I don’t ask. Our youngest flicks me in the eye with some peas. Milk spill! Fight over the milk spill. We manage to engineer peace better than Desmond Tutu. Well done!
7 to 8 pm Getting ready for bed. We split up. My wife does the baths. I do the piano practice, the bed time snacks, and the bed time story. I’ll never let on but I really do have the better end of the stick this time.
8:04 pm Corral time! (Have you ever tried to get three kids in their beds!) It’s like “Whack a Mole” on steroids. One’s down, the other one is up. It turns into a game. I surrender and then tickle them all into submission. Bed time prayers – we pray for world peace and my daughter’s Barbie dolls. Final tuck in and they’re in bed!
8:09 pm Everyone’s asleep!
8:10 pm My wife and I sigh and have a good laugh. Everything seems so much funnier after the fact!
8:30 pm Maybe some exercise and study time! I think you’ve got this figured out!
Midnight I fall asleep on the book and lurch awake. Time to go to bed! 6 am comes all too soon.