The Swedish Dads photo collection perfectly captures what my life was like when I was on parental leave.

As the primary care giver for two young boys, I gallantly attempted to keep them both fed, clean and entertained while my partner went back to work. Luckily (and I consider myself to be very, very lucky), she was able to work part-time and provide me with the often behind the scenes help of preparing meals, clothes for the day, and the much needed mental breaks that’s needed after a long, sleep-deprived day.

Days were sometimes monotonously long and activities often had to be cycled through or slightly revised in order to avoid the allures of turning on the screen. Fortunately, the boys hardly minded or even noticed playing the same games or visiting the same playground, we somehow made it a bit different. The little tweak of variation made it completely new and worthwhile in the end.

And as each day goes by, and as I reflect on the days and weeks that passes, I notice the boys slowly changing – a little taller, a little thinner, a new word, and new learned phrase, a new facial expression. What mostly catches me by surprise is how I have changed as well.

Taking time off to be with them was one of the best decisions I have ever made, and I would do it all over again in a heart beat.

Without further ado, my national anthem (Sexy stay at home dad).