Doting dads take on night shifts for wife, child’s sake

Gone are the days when women, after delivering their children, had to put their careers on hold to be able to tend to their little ones. This Father’s Day, we look at some dads who are not just hands-on with their kid’s upbringing, but are also willingly opting for night shift jobs to allow their wives to pursue their professional dreams.

“It’s by choice that I take up night shifts. Why should I let my wife choose between her job and our child? If we say that a baby is the responsibility of both the parents and men must support women, then why not begin by taking this step?” says Bhawesh Thakur, a 31-year-old doctor by profession who is father to a six-month-old girl, Srinika.

There are a few fathers who don’t think it makes them look any smaller in stature, if they decide to take care of their child. “I decided to leave my job in the hills and returned to Delhi to help raise my child. I’m still looking for a full-time night shift, but I don’t regret quitting my day job because it’s a great way to connect with the infant, till her mother joins us in the evening,” says Biju Ummen, a marketing professional who’s happy to spend the whole day with his five-month old daughter, Anjali

There are many fathers who still prefer night shifts, even though their children have grown up and attend school. “I love to drop my daughter, Shloka to her school in the morning,” says Ashwin Haldipur, a graphic designer, adding, “The joy to see her return from school and make up on the play-time that we have missed, is something that can’t be explained in words. I opted for night shifts around the time she was born but even after 6 years, I have continued with my profile because it’s much more satisfactory to work that way, and also be sure that the baby is taken care of.”

Ashwin Haldipur and Shloka; (left) Biju Ummen with Anjali