One of the questions that many expectant dads ask themselves, if not other people, is “What will change?” My answer to that question can be given in a single word: Everything.
It sounds dramatic, I know, but becoming a father for the very first time will affect virtually every aspect of your life in some way. To begin with, your priorities will change. Right now you might be in the habit of looking out for number one and not really thinking about the welfare of anyone else. This is perfectly natural to a great extent, but when you have a child you will find that looking out for number one is a lot less important than looking out for your offspring.
With this change in priorities will come a change in how you spend your time and money. You will probably want to reduce the amount of time you spend socialising with your friends so that you can take a hands-on role in the care of your son or daughter and relieve some of the pressure on your partner. The days of leaving everything to the mother are long gone, and that’s a good thing for all concerned.
If you are like many expectant dads, you will probably approach the impending arrival of your child as if it were a project to be managed. You might draw up a list of all the things you need to buy and all the things you need to do (prepare a nursery, arrange time off work, etc.). You might even find yourself sneaking a look at your partner’s mother and baby magazines when she isn’t looking. Of course, if you want to earn maximum brownie points you should have a copy of my book, How to be a Great Dad, on display at all times. :-)
Whilst such preparations are important, I have to tell you that no matter how much you plan and schedule, your new situation will take you by surprise. You will never fully appreciate the impact that your new child will have on your life until he or she arrives on the scene, and although you might well smile at the prospect of having to put up with a few (or many!) sleepless nights right now, when the reality of a wailing newborn hits the smile will probably disappear faster than you can say Nappy Time.
No matter how much I or anyone else writes about the changes you will experience, and no matter how much you try to identify and anticipate those changes in advance, becoming a new father will always take you by surprise. For that reason, my best advice is to read up on the subject and make sensible plans, but realise that when your new child arrives on the scene you will need to play things by ear.
If you’re an expectant dad then you’re about to embark on the biggest adventure of your life. Think of it as an adventure, commit yourself to enjoying and making the most of it, and the rest will fall into place quite naturally.
by Ian Bruce
It sounds dramatic, I know, but becoming a father for the very first time will affect virtually every aspect of your life in some way. To begin with, your priorities will change. Right now you might be in the habit of looking out for number one and not really thinking about the welfare of anyone else. This is perfectly natural to a great extent, but when you have a child you will find that looking out for number one is a lot less important than looking out for your offspring.
With this change in priorities will come a change in how you spend your time and money. You will probably want to reduce the amount of time you spend socialising with your friends so that you can take a hands-on role in the care of your son or daughter and relieve some of the pressure on your partner. The days of leaving everything to the mother are long gone, and that’s a good thing for all concerned.
If you are like many expectant dads, you will probably approach the impending arrival of your child as if it were a project to be managed. You might draw up a list of all the things you need to buy and all the things you need to do (prepare a nursery, arrange time off work, etc.). You might even find yourself sneaking a look at your partner’s mother and baby magazines when she isn’t looking. Of course, if you want to earn maximum brownie points you should have a copy of my book, How to be a Great Dad, on display at all times. :-)
Whilst such preparations are important, I have to tell you that no matter how much you plan and schedule, your new situation will take you by surprise. You will never fully appreciate the impact that your new child will have on your life until he or she arrives on the scene, and although you might well smile at the prospect of having to put up with a few (or many!) sleepless nights right now, when the reality of a wailing newborn hits the smile will probably disappear faster than you can say Nappy Time.
No matter how much I or anyone else writes about the changes you will experience, and no matter how much you try to identify and anticipate those changes in advance, becoming a new father will always take you by surprise. For that reason, my best advice is to read up on the subject and make sensible plans, but realise that when your new child arrives on the scene you will need to play things by ear.
If you’re an expectant dad then you’re about to embark on the biggest adventure of your life. Think of it as an adventure, commit yourself to enjoying and making the most of it, and the rest will fall into place quite naturally.
by Ian Bruce
