When I completed the survey I wrote about last week on the subject of "Sex and the American Dad," there was one question I felt I was not qualified to answer. The question asked whether my wife found me more, less or equally attractive compared to before we had kids. Actually, I can't imagine that anyone would find me attractive, let alone a hot babe like my wife, so I just assumed she married me for my Land Rovers. When I asked her, however, she paused and then provided a measured, calculated answer: "More, because you are such a good father." Thanks, dear, you've got my vote.

So I asked a few other moms I know. One mom told me, simply, "I'm too tired to think about that." I can understand that, and suspect a lot of others can too. Having kids doesn't leave a lot of time for adult activities.

Another mom wrote back to say "I find my husband more attractive when he helps with our son, less attractive when he hides out with the computer or TV (you know, general avoidance behavior) while the rest of the house is unraveling." Raising kids is a lot of work and it's definitely easier when you've got two people helping out -- which leaves more time and energy for aesthetic considerations.



When I sent my query to one husband's e-mail by mistake, the reply said that the husband "should be a star in movies since women swoon over him" all the time. "She" added that "Harrison Ford, George Clooney, and all those other stars can't even compare to my husband." When I asked the mom in person, however, the answer was more intellectual: "I would say I love him more; I'm not sure that's the same as finding him attractive." Sorry, dad.

Lastly, one mom offered this round-about answer: "Look for a book in any local independent bookstore called 'Porn for Women' or 'Porn for New Moms' and check them out! They have a finger on the pulse of mothers." I've written about the "Porn for Women" book before -- in the context of someone protesting it -- but the "Porn for New Moms" is new to me. Basically, it shows guys helping take care of babies.

The common theme among all the responses is this: women find guys attractive when they help out around the house and with the kids. So, guys, if you want to be a hot poppa, get with the diaper changes.