Once again, I am kicking myself. The Mister was invited to the Call of Duty Event over the weekend and I declined in favor of finishing my Dan Jones book. I might have met Michael Phelps. Not sure what I would have said to him, though – my 100M freestyle times from high school probably wouldn’t have impressed him much. Michael has been home enjoying all the perks of retirement, like falling into a routine with his fiancée Nicole Johnson and the ruler of the keep, Baby Boomer. One of the ‘joys’ Michael was previously absent from was diaper duty, even though he proudly mastered it prior to competing in the Rio Games. Now that he gets to do it all the time, Michael is taking it like the champ he is, saying even though it can be a foul task, he’s got it handled.
Michael Phelps is now the most decorated Olympian of all time. Fresh from winning five more gold medals at the 2016 Rio Olympics and announcing his retirement, the swimmer chatted with “Extra’s” Charissa Thompson as he stepped out with fiancée Nicole and son Boomer for a “Call of Duty” event in Los Angeles.
The 31-year-old is looking forward to more time with his family, and opened up about diaper duty for his 3-month-old son. “Some of them are disgusting to change, but yeah I’ve got the hang of it.” The swimmer is also busy planning his wedding with Nicole. “We have a big year ahead of us and it’s been a big year already, but it’s exciting and fun.”
I wonder if Michael makes his famous PSF (Phelps Stink Face) when he changes disgusting diapers? I adore him but I refuse to heap praise on anyone for changing diapers. The idea that one parent would opt out of it is asinine to me. Given that is still acceptable for men to proudly admit they don’t do diapers, like Donald Trump, Mike Tyson, Gavin Rossdale, Simon Cowell, Kayne West, Will Farrell, Matthew McConaughey and Eddie Murphy, good for Michael for not seeking acknowledgement. Can we force men who brag about not diapering to wear a big brown ‘D’s’ on their shirts? What makes it worse is they try to pass off the old ‘I don’t do it because I’m not any good at it,’ bs. Whenever a guy says that I just want to respond, ‘Yeah, well so-and-so says you aren’t any good in the sack either and yet, you keep reporting for *that* duty.’
One thing Michael is willing to get out of is Dancing with the Stars. When asked if he will two-step into the shoes of his Team America teammate Ryan Lochte, Michael said, “I don’t think so. I’m not a good dancer.” In this instance, I accept that as an answer. Michael is, legitimately, planning the wedding with Nicole. She spoke about it in her Cosmo interview, saying that she was surprised Michael had definite opinions about the flowers. I remember The Mister had very strong feelings on how he wanted our cake to look, to my astonishment. As Michael said, they have a very exciting year ahead of them. I imagine ordinary life could be a bit of a drag after becoming the greatest Olympian of all time so saving the wedding planning until after the games was a good call. Because getting married and actively raising a child is very exciting, even if it does include some disgusting diapers.
Photo credit: WENN Photos, Getty Images and Instagram
I feel like his son has been 3 months old for the last 6 months. I had no idea the kid was born that recently.
Phelps isn’t on a redemption tour so I can see why Dancing With the Stars doesn’t interest him.
He seems like a sweet, involved dad. My husband never batted an eye about changing diapers, so it’s weird to imagine most guys (Trump excepted) actively avoiding it.
Yeah, it might be gross but wait till Boomer’s a teen. Changing diapers is a walk in the park compared to dealing with teens, imo. Some days I look back on those early baby days with extreme longing. Life was much simpler then!
If hubs ever said “no” I’d see red flags. So gd weird to not participate in all areas of your child’s life…I’m mean, it’s gross for about 3 minutes, but it’s also a good time to bond with the baby. They’re on their backs, looking right at you…
Just once, I’d like to see a profile on a new mom with the breathless pronouncement “And she even changes diapers!”
Or saying “no I don’t do diapers. I’m just not good at them”
Is it really a big deal? My partner was actually the one who taught me the proper way to change diapers as he was more exposed to kids growing up (he has a lot of nephews and nieces).
We cloth diaper and my husband definitely put a lot more effort into figuring out the best way to get the diaper on so it wouldn’t leak–so I have wound up picking up quite a few tips from him (so have our daycare providers). Several of the dads in our circle of friends are actually quite into comparing techniques for minimizing mess. Their discussions can get quite technical!
Same thing with us, I thought my husband was going to write a book on the most effective cloth diapering techniques. Cloth diapering and swaddling – he was hands down better at both.
My husband taught me how to change them too. I made it to our son’s birth (30 years old) avoiding it, and I think I managed to only do 1 (w/a nurse assisting) the 4 days we were in the hospital. So I guess I would have been the new mom proclaiming “I don’t do diapers” for a bit! I have no interest changing any other kid’s diaper, but when it’s your own kid, it just doesn’t seem that gross to me. You want your baby comfy; baby needs a clean bottom to be comfy. End of story.
Yea I hate that this is even newsworthy. Is any mother ever even asked if she changes diapers?
I never let anyone off the hook with the “I’m not good at it” excuse, I just respond that they should do it the next 5 times to practice and get better at it.
I’m not surprised he changes diapers.
But if I were, I’d probably register surprise because he’s rich (and extremely driven), not because he’s male.
Sometimes the way Jennifer Garner gushes ad nauseum about motherhood surprises me, and she’s female (and rich, and during her Alias days seemed highly career-driven).
I wouldn’t let some douche who refuses to diaper the child knock me up. Are you kidding? The LEAST you do is diaper that kid. Also, that man wouldn’t be “babysitting”. It’s your kid too, you’re not doing anyone a favor by babysitting. You’re being a father. Same with diapers and baths etc. I mean before you know it he refuses to do dishes. I don’t think so!
Great post, Hecate! Good to see some acknowledgement that Boomer is The Man. I would love more posts about that little chubby bunny.