Geeks are so underrated. They aren’t your stereotypical poster-boys. Nor would you expect them to be picked first for the cricket team. But when it comes to being a dad, they are incredible.
There are so many perks to dating or marrying your dorky best friend, but rarely do people celebrate the benefits of having kids with a geeky guy.
Geeky guys make the best dads, and here’s why:
1. They love getting dressed up in costumes
Whether they are into cosplaying at Comic Con, or prefer to don medieval attire for a renaissance festival, there is no doubt that they spent their younger years dreaming of having a family of their own to share in the fun with – and to organise amazing matching costumes.
Most kids love dress-ups and would totally love spending a day out with their parents and siblings dressed as their favourite superhero. On top of that, it is super exciting to see all the other amazing costumes. Just a few weeks ago, my son spent half of our time at Supanova taking photos of cosplayers walking past us.
Pop culture conventions are an awesome way to spend a weekend with the family and are usually an exciting and safe outing.
2. Their free-time is spent at home
Now I’m definitely not an advocate for video games (I find them boring and just don’t understand the appeal). Upon reflection, though, I have definitely changed my tune.
When my husband has free-time on the weekends, he likes to play his video games. This is usually on a Friday or Saturday evening, once the kids are in bed and I’ve retired for the night, too. I’m actually glad that his hobby involves staying home. I mean, I wouldn’t really be comfortable if he waiting for us to all hit the hay, before heading out to the CBD to a rave party (do they still call them raves?).
Obviously, I still think it is healthy to spend time with your mates, face-to-face and not online playing games. He does this, too. His “me time”, though, is playing video games. My “me time” on the hand, seems to be rage-cleaning.
3. They have shared interests with their kids
We can only deny our kids of the digital world for so long. Eventually, they are going to want to want an iPhone, use social media and play some game that sounds like Fork Knife.
Mums get all the good stuff: the hugs and kisses, being the one our kids ask for when they scrape their knee, being the one that they fact-check with, the audience when we shower… wait a minute…
When the kids start playing video games, it will give them a shared interest with their father, in the same way many kids bond with their dad over a shared passion for footy.
4. Their dress-sense is always amusing
My husband has a very distinct clothing style. I try to encourage it, as it reflects so much about him. It is hard to pinpoint exactly what his style is. When I find him wearing board shorts with a t-shirt proclaiming “Grab Your Balls, We’re going Bowling”, though, the only description that comes to mind is: horny teenager.
After spending years observing his dress-sense, I have compared and contrasted it with his closest friends, along with strangers at pop culture conventions. It seems that this particular breed of guys all have this style, where they kind of dress up in this comical way, with lots of colours, cartoons and slogans. Think: my toddler dressed himself today, don’t judge me – just in adult form.
It’s cute. It’s fun. And it is filled with nostalgia – especially when he sports his Chip and Dale: Rescue Rangers t-shirt.
5. They give the best gifts ever
I’m not sure if being with a geek turns you into one of them, but I definitely love the gifts this guy gets me. I’m pretty sure most of them are from Zing or Popcultcha – because, where else should my guy shop?
One thing all the gifts I receive from him have in common are: they are fun. From my models of the DeLorean to my Sleeping Beauty teapot, he always finds the perfect gift!
Meanwhile, I overheard him plotting Mother’s Day with our toddler and I am exceptionally excited about my impending Mrs Potts teapot!
6. They are easy to love
They really are. My husband has so many cute little dorky habits that make him who he is. In the same way that I hang out all week to drool over Jamie in Outlander, he gets goose bumps when his new games are installing.
Having said that, if he tries to give me a detailed recount of the plot of Assassin’s Creed one more time, I may be forced to hide every HDMI cable we own.
