Are You About to Become a Father? Here Are 5 Expert Tips for First Time Dads
Fatherhood is one of the most beautiful and significant experiences in life. According to an article on The Washington Post, there were approximately 3.8 million babies born in the U.S in the year 2017. If you are about to become a father, then it’s normal for you to feel anxious about the new role that you are about to undertake. Fatherhood requires you to learn a whole new set of skills that you did not have before. So, before the baby arrives, it is important for you to prepare yourself in the best possible way. Here are 5 expert tips for new dads:
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Take a paternity leave
Some companies offer their male employees a paternity leave if their spouse or partner has a baby. It usually lasts for about 2-3 weeks. If your company provides a paternity leave, be sure to take some time off. This will definitely help to ease the transition into fatherhood. Taking a paternity leave will also prove to your spouse or partner that you are serious about the new phase that is about to commence in your lives.
- Find support from other dads
It is often said that people can only direct you to a place where they have been before. Hence, it is important for you to find other more experienced fathers and get some advice from them. This will be very helpful in the long run since you will be able to ask them questions and get advice. You can even go to online platforms such as DadQuarters where you will find amazing articles and resources to help you on your journey.
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Plan your finances
As a father, you will have many financial obligations that must be met. Hence, this would be right time to seek out additional income streams. You could also look for opportunities to invest your money in profitable ventures. Be sure to monitor your spending and always look for innovative ways to save money.
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Be flexible
Labor, childbirth and parenthood all present unique challenges which require you to be as flexible as possible. Many times, things will not go as expected, and during these times, it is important for you to realign yourself and keep moving forward. Don’t dwell on past experiences, but rather, always look for a way to improve and grow. You should also work on improving your communication skills.
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Prioritize family time
It’s easy for people to assume that a newborn baby only requires attention from their mother. However the truth is that, as a father, your presence is also very much needed. This will require you to plan your schedule in such a way that you are prioritizing family time. It could sometimes mean cancelling that meet-up with the boys or missing your favorite team’s game. However, always remember that it will be worth it when you see your family thriving and prospering.