“Women are just absolutely badass.” The Lean Machines get real about what it is like transitioning into fatherhood.
We see a lot of pregnancy videos from a mother’s perspective and, while we love them, John Chapman and Leon Bustin from The Lean Machines, give us the other half of the story in their latest video series.
Starting with the first trimester, the cheeky duo break down how they each found out their respective partners were pregnant – from peeing on the stick to dealing with all the emotions which followed.
In John’s words, “finding out was epic” but it doesn’t mean it was easy. He touches on the pressures women feel when it comes to pregnancy, be it the journey to getting pregnant or the expectations it places on them. His advice to viewers was simple: support your partner, be her strength. “She was starting to freak out, then she saw how relaxed and happy I was about it and she drew strength from it.”
Both of them also touch upon the trepidation leading to the first 12 week scan and how it can create a sort of delayed excitement. We can also imagine this time was lovely for them as it is tradition to not share the good news until after the scan.
What is refreshing in the video is that neither of them hold back. From John discussing his childhood and the impact it has had (shout out to Mama Chapman who seems like an incredibly strong, caring, amazing woman) to both of them witnessing their partners going through morning sickness and experiencing baby brain, knowing there was very little they could do but understand. As Leon said, “whatever Carly is going through, I am not going to try and relate. I am just going to understand.”
The video ends with them in awe of their partners and the new-found respect they have for them seeing them go through the first few weeks of pregnancy. John points out from the moment his partner found out she was pregnant, “every day was a mission. Leon said: “I could not love her any more in a respectful way,” adding that he “can’t even handle a big poo.” Well that’s something we never thought we’d ever know about him.
It is very rare we see men talk so openly about their version of the nine months of pregnancy and talking about their emotions in general. The Lean Machines do it in their unique, genuine, uplifting yet raw way. The love, empathy and candidness show throughout the entire 20 minutes.
It is safe to say we have a feeling the boys will make excellent fathers!
Want more?
Check out why Lex Croucher wants us all to stop making haul videos. Alternatively, read about Melanie Murphy‘s ideology behind posing for photos.
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