10 things every new dad should know

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by Felicia Chin

Pregnancy is a huge milestone not only for woman, but for men as well. The inevitability of parenthood may seem like something strange and scary for a soon-to-be father.

1. You may never eat what you like again

You and your wife enjoy fine dining, French cuisine, sashimi buffets, you get picture. Go for as many of your favourite dinners as you can before or even during the pregnancy.

Chances are when the baby arrives, you won’t be having much of a say as to where to go for dinner. Those candlelit, quiet restaurants will never look at you the same way again.

2. Parenthood is a team game

Even if your wife stays at home and you go to work, understand that both parties have to contribute to taking care of the latest edition to the family.

Help your wife out by changing the baby’s diapers, feeding the baby at dinner and even answering those mind-numbing crying sessions in the middle of the night.

3. Say goodbye to sleep

With reference to said crying sessions mentioned in the above paragraph, note that you will no longer have peaceful nights.

Your baby will shriek, scream and cry at the most inopportune moments in the early morning. When your kid eventually becomes a grumpy, emotional, hormonal teenager, you can tell yourself it was all worth it!

4. Help may not always be help

It may seem a brilliant idea at first to get a fellow relative, neighbour, mother or even a family friend to come over and take care of your baby. However the fact remains that parenting styles differ greatly with people, especially those from different generations.

Your aunt may take a more stern approach, while your cousin may let the baby roam free. Too many contradicting styles will only work against the babies development. The best methods lie with the baby’s own parents.

5. Your wife will change

Both partners know that physical and emotional changes will come upon the pregnant spouse. Bellies start swelling and the lady begins to have wild mood swings. It is the husband’s role to be there when his wife needs him, and to take cover when necessary.

6. Cherish these times

Who knows when you might have a baby again? The first time raising a baby is always a special experience. While the process may seem tough at times, it will always be a time that every parent will keep close to their hearts. Make it count.

7. It will be messy

Think poop, vomit, soiled diapers, spilt food, dirty clothes. Raising a baby may seem even more troublesome and dirty than keeping a disobedient puppy. Expect the mess and be there with your spouse to clean up after.

8. Different methods are acceptable

You and your wife will be bound to disagree on parenting styles. But that doesn’t mean that one style is right, while the other is wrong.

Stick to what you think is right and bond with the child. Your wife will soon see that you are a good father, and that you want to be involved in your child’s life.

9. Babies will cry

If there’s one thing every parent knows and dreads, it’s that babies will cry. They will cry when they are hungry, or uncomfortable.

They will cry when they tired or hot. They will cry when they are separated with their parents and will cry when they are reunited. babies will cry. So find a way to soothe the savage child. If not, just grit your teeth and bear it.

10. Nothing has changed

It may seem like a major incident in your life, but the fact is, nothing has changed in the world around you. People still see you as the same person, your friends are still there and your job still awaits you each day.

Having a baby does not mean your life has been messed up for good. The world is still out there waiting for you to rejoin it and bring along a young, new addition.