I taught my dad how to change a nappy

Tina Rhodes almost dropped the phone with shock. “Pregnant! But you’re 55!” she blurted out.
Tina’s dad Eric had split from her mum when she was 16. He’d always been a great dad, not hands on as he worked long hours, but always there for them. Tina and her brothers had grown up, had families of their own. Then Eric started dating a woman younger than all of them. They were shocked to start with – but why not?
Now Eric’s partner was pregnant – and what was more incredible was so was Tina.

The two women gave birth just two weeks apart. But Eric’s relationship didn’t last and he told his surprised daughter that he was going to bring baby Emily up alone. It would be even more of a challenge as Emily Rose has Spina Bifida.
Eric gave up work to become a full time carer. Tina was there for him too, showed him how to all the practical stuff, change nappies, make up a feed. Everything he needed to know. Tina’s mum, his ex-wife, helped out to, treats Eric’s daughter like a grandchild.
The family have all pulled together and Tina was at the gates next to Eric when their daughters started school together.

Tina’s daughter Millie and Emily are now six and in the same class at school. They are best friends and Millie helps Emily cope with her disability. Tina and Eric, now 61, share the school run between them and there’s been quite a few raised eyebrows among the other mums, but now they all admire him for what he’s done.
None of them could believe to start with that Millie and Emily are aunty and niece.
Tina, who’s 35, said: “We were all stunned when dad told us he was going to be a dad again. But he’s been fantastic and given up everything to care for Emily. I think its amazing that I walk my sister to school who’s also by daughter’s aunty and best friend.”