However much you try to prepare before becoming a parent, there are certain things you only learn on the job. Father-of-four Pat McCarry shares some of the most valuable discoveries he has picked up through the years Pat McCarry at home in Sallins with his children Anna (1), Elise (6), Patrick (9) and Catlin (11). Photo: Steve Humphreys A little over 10 years ago, my main job was to take our daughter, Caitlin, out of the Midlands Regional Hospital in her new car seat and not drop her on the way through the car park.
I remember looking at her in the rearview mirror and thinking, “So that’s it? She’s ours now?” There was no parenting pop quiz before we left the place. No oath of allegiance or retina scans. We were parents.
This was our child. We had to scoot home as more babies were on their way. Myself and my wife now have four children, aged between one and 10 — three girls and a boy.
We have the chatterbox, the builder, the dreamer and the one just inches from reaching that all-important front door handle..