Becoming a father is a dizzying experience.
There’s the weird black poop, the crying, the lack of sleep and the lack of post-baby sex but there’s so much more than that that a new dad needs to know. Lucky, we know almost a million of ’em and so we asked the experienced parenting vets of our amazing Facebook community to share something every dad needs to know. What we heard back – the funny and the deep — might be the most useful and helpful parenting and life advice you’ll read online this year.
J.R. Braet: This might not be popular, but dads need to be aware that while kids are the most important thing in your life (because they need you and can’t make it on their own), they should not be the centre of the universe. This mainly applies to coupled relationships, but remember that your spouse is important too and so are you. Don’t ignore your other relationships for the sake of your kids – things will only fall apart if you do that.
Jessie-Kate Murdoch: You are not less than a mother! Drives me mental when i hear people putting dads down saying they couldn’t do a mothers job etc etc. you can and you do! Each brings their own things to the parenting table.
Ken Stafford A dad needs to know that if his tools and shed is not locked, things will disappear. They will be found again one day when you decide to move house and things start falling out of your furniture. [this also fits with our ‘what dads are missing’ featured post from earlier this week!] https://www.lifeofdad.com/what-dads-are-missing/
Lisa Hendershot-Kennedy: You aren’t “babysitting them” when you take care of them or spend time alone with them. They are YOUR children.
Dora Porter: That this parenting gig is hard, it’s bloody beautiful but oh those moments when you want to curl in a ball and cry or scream… there will be a few of those. So if you are with your partner remember that you are both awesome parents… and if you do it together (working as a team) you will be unstoppable. Love each other, and ensure you look after yourselves.
“You can not pour from an empty cup”.
Sarah Yeager: Try not to feel unwanted and neglected the first year. And dont use it as an excuse to cheat, even emotionally. Its not only a big change for you in how your no longer her center of attention, its a big change for her.
Jon Pope: Since everyone is more serious I will say this if you enjoyed long quite bathroom time thats gone. You have to fire off those torpedoes before they realize you’re gone.
Sarah Winston: Well my son’s dad just learned that even password locking his phone and amazon account does nothing to prevent a 5 year old from somehow ordering ALL THE TRAINS.
Christopher Schiltz: You can still go out with your kids. They’re quick learners and will know how to better behave when they understand how the world is. If you keep them sheltered it will hinder their development.
Leo Ramos: You will fail and make mistakes sometimes as a father. I know I have, but learn from it. No matter how perfect you want to be you will screw up.
Mike Weaver: Don’t plan a single thing just go with the flow or you will go nuts!
Finally and maybe most importantly, Matt S Bashaw reminds all dads that: Any Halloween candy you help the child obtain is half yours.