Ten years ago, at 3 in the morning, I would’ve either been throwing up in a bar parking lot, making a taco run after an evening of debauched bar-hopping, passed out on my front lawn or sitting on my couch watching naughty movies on Showtime, usually in that order.

Heck, a year ago at 3 in the morning, I would’ve just been going to bed after being glued to some video game.

Nowadays, though, at 3 in the morning, I usually kick myself in the butt (no easy feat) over all the sleep I’ve deprived myself of over the many years. Because now at 3 in the morning, I’m usually changing a poopie diaper, covered in butt-rash cream and preparing for an hour of daddy karaoke as I sing made-up lullabies for an hour in hopes my screechy, tired voice will calm my son enough to go mimis.

Babies rock.

Seriously, through all the crying, peeing in my face and sleepless nights, parenthood is one of the best feelings you can have.

When the little trooper popped out, my wife and I had no freaking clue what we were doing. But, heck, you adapt, because smells are temporary, and babies heal.

Being a new parent recently made watching the premiere of NBC’s new reality show, “The Baby Borrowers,” (Wednesdays at 8 p.m.) the most fun I’ve had watching TV in months.

Several teenage couples (who think they’re ready for parenthood) are given a nice new house and charge of brand-spanking new bambinos and then shoved into the world of being a daddy and mommy.
Oh man, it is beautiful. I watch these poor kids, and it is hard not to judge their every action despite having only been at this for six months.

The last thing I would ever do is hand my son over to complete strangers, or even complete friends, for three days. But I guess when the call of fake fame calls, most people will do anything to get on TV. Besides, all the babies’ parents are watching the whole thing on closed-circuit TVs a couple of houses away.

Some of the show’s best moments come to vivid life when a parent has “had it,” then storms over and give it to the parents-in-training. A few of the actual parents are a bit more understanding and gentle in their instruction, but some of those moms really let loose on the teen couples.

Because you can tell most of the teen couples came into this thinking babies would be just happy fun dress-up time, cooing and smiles. But when real sh*t hits, “The Baby Borrowers” often become more infantile than their charges.

After three days with the infants, the same couples will then get chances to see what it’s like to care for toddlers, elementary school-age kids, other teens and finally elderly folks. It’s the full experience of being an adult with regards to caring for others in every single stage of life.
It is a brilliant concept for a show, and for parents, more fun than you will have all summer watching TV.