Growing up, I always looked up to my dad. The older my son gets, the more I see him looking up to his father in the same way. One of my biggest goals as a parent is to raise Alex to be an incredible father himself—if he chooses to be one—so that one day his children will look up to him just as I look up to my dad, and he looks up to his.
Alex is a spirited, strong-willed 2-year-old whose determination amazes anyone who meets him. He’s affectionate, nurturing, and generous, and he loves simple joys—cars, trucks, trains, bubbles, the park—but most of all, he loves babies. At our local park, Alex is well-known for bringing a treasure trove of toys so he can share with every child who wants to play. Seeing him give so freely fills me with pride and gratitude. I can hardly describe how blessed I feel to call him my son.
Just this morning, his father replied to a picture I sent him from home: “I miss him so much. He’s so full of energy and happiness. I’m so proud to call him my son.” I couldn’t agree more.
Alex was a surprise baby. After struggling with addiction for nearly five years, I discovered I was pregnant. I immediately sought help and worked to get clean and better myself. I stayed at a long-term mommy-and-me rehab facility until Alex was born, and two months later, we returned home together to my husband, Alex’s father. Since then, we’ve been raising him in a beautiful, family-friendly town in New Jersey, and I feel more blessed than I ever could have imagined.
Because of my past struggles and a traumatic childhood, I strive every day to be the best parent I can be for Alex, nurturing his interests and supporting his growth. Right now, that begins with pretend play, which has become a central part of his life.
Alex is a whirlwind of energy—truly, the energy of ten kids. At 14 months, he aspirated on his Thanksgiving dinner and nearly died in our kitchen, held in his grandfather’s arms. Thanks to a responding police officer, he was able to breathe again just in time. Even after being rushed to the hospital and undergoing surgery to remove the obstruction, Alex was back to playing and running around the very next morning, his gorgeous smile lighting up the room. Nothing can stop him!
Pretend play is Alex’s favorite way to explore the world. He loves taking his baby doll for rides in my car—carefully buckling it into the car seat, hopping into the front seat, putting in the key (with me safely beside him), and pretending to drive us to the park while dancing to music. Watching him copy the things he sees his parents do, seeking my approval with a smile that stretches from ear to ear, fills my heart with a love I can hardly put into words.
Alex takes his baby doll shopping, to the park, and on our nightly walks. He checks on “Baby” constantly, asking, “Baby? Ninny? Baba? No? Ok!” and carries on as if nothing else in the world matters. At the park, he carefully places Baby in one swing while he occupies another, and I happily push them both. At home, he cuddles Baby while we watch cartoons in bed, mimicking the care and attention he sees from his parents.
Alex doesn’t just love caring for his baby; he loves keeping Baby’s world clean, too. He has his own “cleaner” (a repurposed Clorox bottle filled with water) and gets so excited to help sweep, mop, and wipe down surfaces. His love for baby dolls started at age one, when he discovered a little bouncer at his aunt’s house. Since then, he’s had multiple dolls, two strollers, and an endless imagination for feeding, dressing, and rocking his babies to sleep.
While watching him play, I often hear judgmental comments. People have questioned why he plays with a doll or assumed we lack other children or pets. But the truth is, pretend play is a vital part of childhood, teaching empathy, responsibility, and care. One day, Alex may choose to be a father, or he may not—but either way, I want him to grow up kind, loving, and nurturing. He’s already showing us the heart of a wonderful human being.
Seeing Alex carefully rock Baby to sleep, offer a bottle, and gently pat its back fills me with pride. He must take Baby everywhere we go—even baths, followed by lotion and fresh clothes—and I cherish every moment. There’s nothing I want more than to give my son the best role models, and to let him explore life through play. Little boys should feel free to care, nurture, and pretend without limitation. After all, in adulthood, no one will tell him he’s too manly to change his own child’s diaper, right?
We will continue to encourage Alex’s imagination, whether it involves dolls, Barbies, cars, or action figures. He is a bright, loving, and spirited little boy whose smile lights up any room. He touches everyone he meets with his gentle and kind-hearted nature, and I couldn’t be prouder. As his father says, “I’m so proud to call him my son.” I feel the exact same way.
