Perhaps you and your husband are expecting for the first time. Or are you a father already, or soon to be father? If you are, maybe you are like me when we were expecting for the first time, and honestly the second time round too, and you are fearing this whole fatherhood thing. Putting my thoughts to pen and paper or at least fingers to keyboard with my daddy tips on discovering this world of parenthood.
- Don’t worry about being perfect. To be a great dad is all about being present, and learning as you go. I guarantee you won’t know everything out of the gate, but it sure is fun having to deal with your first poopy diaper when it comes. Most likely you will be on diaper duty as soon as your child arrives. I believe fatherhood is not all about holding the baby just right, or burping baby a certain way, but instead being there for your family as a loving, and stable foundation.
- Give mommy a break. The best thing you can do to help your wife is to let her have a break from the kids once in a while. Let her feel human again by letting her get out of the house to see friends, or to have a bubble bath in peace.Husbands, let’s make sure our wives never get burned out being a mommy 24 hours a day. Plus, it is a great opportunity to bond with your children one on one. Let’s be honest, the role of being a father is not nearly as important as the role of the mother for caring for an infant and instinctively knowing what a newborn needs. This is where women have the advantage and ultimately, the most challenging and rewarding jobs. Women feel like a mother as soon as they know they are pregnant. We feel like a father more so when our child arrives and we see them for the first time, and get to hold our child.
- Be there and be awake for feedings. Even at the 3am feedings when baby thinks it’s time to party it’s important as a good father and a good husband to get up with your wife. Change the diaper while mom gets ready and keep her company as the baby feeds. And when she is done, take your child and burp them and be part of the process. It might not feel like an enjoyable experience in the moment but those late night feedings, fighting to stay awake teamwork, brought us closer together.
- Be affectionate. I can hear all the men grunting already. I know we all put on the rugged macho man act in public, but your kids need to see, and feel your love. They only understand what love is when they are a newborn, or infant by your acts of affection through a loving touch, a hug, a snuggle, or a kiss. A child needs to feel loved, always. Don’t be afraid to shower your children with loving affection anywhere, and everywhere, and as much as you can!
- Enjoy every moment. Time flies when you are having fun is the saying, and that is doubly true when you have kids. I feel like the last 3 years has gone by in a matter of months. When did I become a father to two amazing daughters? All I can say is make sure you spend as much time as you can with your kids. Take time off from work, put down your phones, turn off that TV and be present and attentive with the here and now. They are only going to be that age at that one moment in time, don’t miss it!
Love these! My husband always woke up for feeding too, either to bring our babes to me or to put them back to sleep after they were done, and it meant so much to me.
Aww I love when my husband steps out behind the camera and joins me on the blog! This was so sweet 🙂
These are great suggestions! So often men become overwhelmed by what they think is required of being a parent, when in reality it is quite simple. Your first one is the most important, be present. That they will always remember!
Great post. Mommy time is so important! Also, a man who is affectionate to his kids is attractive lol.
I love your second tip, lol because I’m honestly so scared about that… I worry my husband won’t let me ever have a break. I really hope he gets more comfortable with kiddos so I can have me time. Great post!
Danielle Greco – AccordingtoD.com
My husband always participated in the nighttime feedings as well—bringing the baby to me, changing diapers, etc.—and I agree that it brought us closer. Some thought we were crazy (why should BOTH of you be sleep-deprived???) but truthfully it made it easier for both of us.
This is so sweet! Those are GREAT tips!
I love that he took the time to write his feeling on the subject. Thank you for encouraging him to do so!
These are great tips. I am sending them along to my SO as a hint!
It’s so good for dads to hear encouragement from other dads. Thanks for chiming in!
I do have to say, if I made my husband get up with me during the night he would not be a fun person to be around the next day. We definitely know our separate rolls when it comes to night time baby care!
What an incredible dad! Reading this reminds me so much of my sweet husband. I would have our newborn in a beautiful cradle on my side of the bed. My hubby would wake up at regular intervals with flashlight in hand to check for breathing and to check the baby’s diaper. He would also keep a baby monitor on his end table so there would be two sets of ears listening for baby sounds. As the girls got older he got pretty good at doing the girls’ hair and painting their fingernails with special designs as requested. Our daughters are now grown, and it’s so sweet to look back and remember these special things. Have fun with your little ones. The days are long but the years fly by!
Great tips Jason 🙂 this would be a great read for Greg !
These are great! I was very appreciative of my husband being awake for night feeds too.