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Home / Lifestyle

How a reluctant father learned to love his unwanted son

By Martha Cliff
Daily Mail·
18 Oct, 2017 07:45 PM6 mins to read

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His son Harry and his Bullmastiff Thor. Photo / Imgur

His son Harry and his Bullmastiff Thor. Photo / Imgur

A father, who never wanted children, has shared the heartwarming story of how he learned to love his son after he was born unexpectedly.

UK based Imgur user SilentScreamsX took to the social media site to share his story after his partner gave birth without knowing she was pregnant.

The man admitted that when he first learned he had become a father he considered walking out on his partner in light of the responsibility.

In his emotional post the father-of-one reveals that neither he nor his girlfriend has any idea she was pregnant and doctors had also failed to detect it.

He explains: "Multiple tests came back negative, and the doctors put her swollen stomach down to the gastritis she was suffering from at the time. She was on the pill, so we had no reason to second guess it."

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Unaware that she was pregnant, the mother-to-be gave birth at home while sitting on the toilet before moving to the hospital where the father began to have doubts.

He continues: "My son was born headfirst down the toilet at 2am on a Saturday morning after almost no labor [sic].

"I never wanted kids, so to say I had mixed feelings about our surprising new arrival would be overstating my positivity on the matter.

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"When I left my girlfriend in the hospital the first night, I legitimately considered not coming back. I'm not proud of it, but there it is. My girlfriend knew my thoughts on kids and later confided that she didn't think I'd come back."

However, after naming their son Harry and bringing him home he quickly adapted to fatherhood and found it to be a joy.

He continued: "Turns out that little Harry is pretty damn awesome. He barely ever cries. He's the happiest baby I've ever encountered and sleeps for 9-10 hours a night and wakes up smiling afterwards.

"He's also cute as hell, which is the first time I've ever thought that about a baby. I wake up some mornings in disbelief that I'm actually a dad. Then I look in his crib and he looks back and gives me a big smile and I'm in love all over again."

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The father goes on to thank his parents who surprised him and his new family with their very own home.

Fellow Imgur users were truly touched by the tale taking to the site to leave their congratulatory comments.

"Any male can father a child; it takes a Man to be a Dad. You, sir, are a Man and a Dad. Congrats on doing the right thing," said one.

Another added: "Man, I am so happy for you. Rock on dude, you got this."

The post received almost 200,000 views and 6,000 points.

SilentScreamsX's Imgur post in full

"This might get kind of long. Fair warning.

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6 months ago my girlfriend gave birth. Nobody even knew she was pregnant. Multiple tests came back negative, and the doctors put her swollen stomach down to the gastritis she was suffering from at the time. She was on the pill, so we had no reason to second guess it. My son was born headfirst down the toilet at 2am on a Saturday morning after almost no labor.

I never wanted kids, so to say I had mixed feelings about our surprising new arrival would be overstating my positivity on the matter. When I left my girlfriend in the hospital the first night, I legitimately considered not coming back. I'm not proud of it, but there it is. My girlfriend knew my thoughts on kids and later confided that she didn't think I'd come back.

My son is named Harry, after Harry Dresden, and to quote the man himself; "There are some things you can't walk away from. Not if you want to live with yourself afterwards."

I went back and took responsibility.

Turns out that little Harry is pretty damn awesome. He barely ever cries. He's the happiest baby I've ever encountered and sleeps for 9-10 hours a night and wakes up smiling afterwards. He's also cute as hell, which is the first time I've ever thought that about a baby. I wake up some mornings in disbelief that I'm actually a dad. Then I look in his crib and he looks back and gives me a big smile and I'm in love all over again.

Thor, my 13-month-old Bullmastiff has taken to him too. I was worried that a 140lb dog, especially one that still has his puppy energy levels, wouldn't be able to exist in the same house as a baby, but Thor is so careful around him and when strangers come round he turns into the best guardian a kid could want. He plants himself firmly between Harry and the guests, facing our guests. He doesn't growl or threaten in any way. He just lays down and makes it clear that he's the barrier between the two parties. What can I say? I'm proud of both my babies!

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Today my mum phoned me, asking me to come round to my parents place after work. I asked why and she said it was a surprise. I figured she'd bought more stuff for Harry. She never thought she was getting a grandson, and now she has one she spoils the kid at every opportunity.

Anyway, I pulled up and she and my step-dad were stood in the driveway and handed me a set of keys. Turns out that the elderly lady, who has lived next door for longer than I've been alive, has moved into a care home. My mum had been looking after her for years, making shopping trips for her as she became housebound and other little things like that. Because of this, when they inquired about the house being sold, she gave them a good price and first refusal.

I guess my parents decided to get Harry one more gift, because they bought him a home to grow up in!

They're not wealthy by any means, and buying the house has taken a big chunk of their savings and put their retirement plans back by years. What they've done for me and my little family is unbelievably huge. To top it all off, they're paying for a whole new kitchen and bathroom for the house, as the current ones are as old as the previous owner.

I'm stunned right now and I just wanted to share because I want more people to know how incredible my parents are."

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