Is the reality of being a dad overwhelming you? It’s completely normal to have a mixture of feelings.
Research shows new dads find it hard to cope with the first few weeks or months of fatherhood. Are new Dads fully prepared for the life-defining changes coming?
Develop a habit of having parental questions before and during parenthood. It will be of much help as you grow into your new role. It’s a dream to have healthy relationships in our home and to have happy families.
Here are seven ways to go about it.
1. Set Your Mind
Know that most aspects of your life will be different. Focus on what you will contribute as a father rather than on what you will miss.
Prepare your mind to be a husband and a parenting partner from that moment forward. New roles and responsibilities will come your way. You should prepare your mind fully on how to approach fatherhood. Reading and doing research on the changes coming to your life will help prepare your mind for fatherhood.
2. Be Involved from The First Moment
Be proactive from the earliest stage. Even as your partner is expecting the baby, support them and help them around. Act as a team and learn to share responsibilities. For instance, help around the house, build the baby’s crib, do repairs around the house, shop for any supplies baby might need. This helps sets a calm and happy mood, which your partner will appreciate.
It’s always the small things that make the difference. Find out what the best moisturizer is and buy several bottles to take a burden off of mama. Do the same thing with shampoo and anything else that isn’t on the baby register. When baby arrives, you’ll already be used to being part of the process. You will be used to helping. Relieve your partner by changing diapers, feeding and soothing baby to sleep.
3. Be Mindful of Feelings
You should be aware that life will not be as it used to. Intimacy, sexual desires, and emotions between you and your partner may be at different levels. Now is the time to be empathetic.
Give the best emotional response you can and consider their feelings. Acknowledge that being intimate after pregnancy may take time between you and your partner. Give them time to heal their bodies and process emotions. Offer support to the highest level.
4. Keep on Pushing
You may get comfortable with the new tasks and responsibilities that have come your way. Use this opportunity to learn more about other related activities and skills. It takes time to find and learn more about things like baby formula, folding their clothes, and wiping them properly. Show interest and keep trying.
5. Ask for Help!
It’s great to find other fathers and friends who have shared this experience before. Don’t be shy to approach them for clarification or clearing any doubts you may be having. Hang out with other dads more. You will get tips and ideas on how to be the best father and man you can be.
6. Consider your social life
Make your growing family your top priority. Dedicate much of your time to them. Discuss this change in your life with your friends. You may be less involved in other activities, and you’ll be taking time to embrace your family more. Good friends will understand and accept these changes while being supportive.
7. Don’t forget about your partner
With baby and all the time and attention they need, there may be less quality time between you and your partner. Don’t forget to share some quality time together. Hold on to simple things like little surprises or thoughtful gifts. Find time to talk. Always remind them how much you love them.
Fatherhood may be a challenge at first, but it’s sure to be fun, exciting, and rewarding in your lives as you keep on. These 7 practical tips can make a positive influence on your family home.
Your presence will create moments you will cherish forever.
Mo Mulla is a work from home dad who enjoys reading and listening to music. He loves being a dad and husband to a growing family. He enjoys writing about his passions and hopes to change the world, one blog post at a time! You can find his parenting blog here: ParentalQuestions.com