Celebrity fathers Brad Pitt and Tom Cruise love changing diapers and burping their babies. Will regular dads ever catch up with the modern celeb father, asks Shireena Al Nowais.
Being a parent is truly an out-of-this-world experience. It is all that they say it is: joyful, amazing, best thing ever, earth shattering. So say the numerous celebrities who have recently aquired an infant.
On May 27, 2006, Brad Pitt's daughter was born. His comment was typically gushing. Being a parent is "a true joy".
"Best thing I ever did," he said. "You know, you can write a book, you can make a movie, you can draw, paint a painting, but having kids is really the most extraordinary thing I've ever taken on."
"And, man, if I can get a burp out of that little thing," said Pitt, referring to daughter Shiloh, "I'll feel such a sense of accomplishment."
Earlier this year, on April 18, Tom Cruise was also blessed with a daughter.
"She's a beauty — it's crazy," he said of his two-week-old daughter, Suri.
"It's exciting and kind of surreal because, all of a sudden, it's happening. Suddenly there's going to be this other person, and I found myself wanting to relish every moment and not forget it. Kate and I can't take our eyes off her.
"I change diapers all the time. I have to tell you I love it. We have a whole system worked out. It's the 'B and B'. She does the breast feeding and I do the burping and changing the diapers. It's teamwork. It's fun."
'Normal' fathers
We all know that being a parent is great. So why do celebrity parents feel the need to rave about what is, essentially, a universal human experience?
Perhaps because they are able to take a new angle on the fatherhood experience — whereas non-celeb dads may not be able to (or want to) be an important part of their tot's life, famous dads can make daddying their next leading role.
In saying that they gladly take on the icky task of diaper changing, celebrities like Pitt graduate from being dream guys to being dream fathers.
Tabloid! caught up with some regular new and long-time fathers. Just how many of them are prepared to follow in the celebs' footsteps to become "new dads"?
Fun and games
Tareq Al Qubali, father of 18-month-old Saif says: "One of the best things is when I walk into the house after work and see my son trying to pull my thoob (local dress) from the hanger, thinking it is me. Or when I walk in and see him in his walker trying to push himself towards me with open arms and a big smile so I can lift him up. It's that big smile on his face that is truly amazing.
Dirty work
"It is always cute to have a baby on your shoulder, trying to make him burp but I am not too sure about changing diapers. I can't say I 'love' doing it. I'd rather leave the job to his mum."
Dr Shehzad Tahir, father of 10-year-old Mir Mustafa and 7-year-old Mir Mujtaba, says: "It's their smile. It is unique and different. As babies I do anything to get them to smile. I play with them and tease them. But not changing diapers and burping them. Their mother would do that."
Overwhelming
Shahib Iqbal, father of 16-year-old Huma, 13-year-old Khurram and 7-year-old Raza says: "The most amazing experience was attending the birth of my youngest. I wasn't there when my first two were born but during the birth of my third child, the doctor allowed me to be with my wife through the whole process. And I tell you, that was the most amazing experience and overwhelming moment in my life.
"I didn't have a problem changing diapers. I used to do it when their mother was busy. I don't love doing it. As babies, I used to love holding them, teaching them how to walk in the walker and later on, to talk. I can't recall feeling overwhelmed burping them though."
