Traditionally, they say that a mother is a care-giver, and father a bread earner. But there seems to be a role reversal of sorts, with many new-age dads in the capital opting to sometimes stay at home and help raising a child.

Being a father nowadays is not the same as it used to be earlier. The rapport between a father and kids has changed a big deal. On Father’s Day, fathers from the capital speak about the change that has come in the relationship that a father share with his kid and how now they are more “hands-on”.
Designer Jattinn Kochhar says that the entire equation in a father-child relationship has become very different. “Unlike earlier when fathers usually didn’t get into matters of kids, these days it is important for them to be aware of their kids’ whereabouts. It makes a special bond.” Jattinn thinks he has had his share of fun as a party animal and now he wants to graduate as a father. “I don’t know any person who would have been to more parties than me. I had fun in my younger days and now I am trying to give the best of time to my children. I’d rather spend time with them than socialising,” says Jattinn, who presently is on a vacation with his seven-and-a-half and two-and-a-half year old children showing them different faces of life.
Nandan Jha, senior engineering manager, Adobe, says, “In most families today, both partners are working. In our situation, my child ends up spending more time with me,” says Nandan, whose wife works with a reputed general entertainment channel and thus needs to travel a lot. In order to provide his five-year-old daughter a comfortable environment at home, Nandan ends up taking many leaves from office when his wife is away.
“Surprisingly, as days are passing, I’ve observed that my daughter Pihu has become very understanding. She no more cribs while eating something she doesn’t like and supports me a lot,” says Nandan.
Sharing a recent incident when his wife was away and Pihu was missing her, he says, “I was in a helpless situation when Pihu made a long face saying that she is missing mom. I tried to explain her that work is really important and she replied, ‘Okay, for now I’ll think you are both my mommy and daddy’. I just couldn’t believe that a child so young could understand situation so well. I’m stunned with the maturity Pihu shows at times. And in return, of course she has a very good father,” avers Nandan.
Television actor Indresh Malik of 12/24 Karol Bagh got married when he was only 21. He soon became a father of two sons. He says that since the age difference is very less between him and his sons, they share a unique bond with each other. Indresh, who is basically a businessman took up a cameo in the TV show, says that he never thought his role would become popular and he’d have to give regular time for it.
“It has made my schedule really hectic. Since last one year, I’m not able to give much time to my sons. But they understand my problem so well. They never complain about the regular outings that have stopped. I think that they know it’s just a phase and we’ll soon be back to being buddies again,” he says.