fatherhood

I am photographing a Dad who is feeding his son for the first time – the six month old has never eaten solid foods.  His wife has mixed the breast milk with the rice cereal and the Dad gets ready to start.  She comes in and asks, ‘can I just feed him his first spoonful?’  Obligingly he steps to the side and says, ‘sure.’ 

The father goes on to feed the boy, and they both really enjoy the experience.  Later I think back on the exchange – the mom wanted to be first.  I understand her desire – she’s fed him everything he’s ever eaten up until that point.  But I keep wondering, what does this do to the father?  Is it setting up a construct that will continue as the boy grows?  A small moment, to be sure, but a part of the evolution of this man as a father.