How can I man prepare for fatherhood?

Question

My wife and I are hoping to conceive our first child soon.

How can I prep for being a dad?

I have a career, money, a paid off house, two safe newer vehicles, etc.

I am not talking about prepping like that though, I guess I mean more emotional preparation.

I want to be the best father I can be (my wife already says I am the best husband already lol).

Any advice?

I got a 3 year old dog already!

Answer 1

There really isnt an answer to this. No parent is a perfect parent. You will make mistakes in raising the child but the only thing you can do is make sure that whatever you do for him, it's because you love him. You will only learn as the years go by with the child. You will learn from him and he will do the same from you. It is better to be financially stable for a baby but money doesnt compare to love. The poorest family will have the same amount of love for a baby. You can get advice here, from parenting books but the real knowledge and experience will come when he is born and as he becomes older. Only take those books as reference, not literally as each child is different. I commend you for even asking this question. You're a good man and your wife is right, i think you are already mentally and emotionally ready for a baby just from asking this question. just be prepared for sleepless nights, baby goo, vomit, and horrific screams. if you can get through that you are good to go.

Answer 2

Being a father is going to test every bit of patience you have. There will be weeks that you get zero sleep, there will be weeks that the wife that loves you now, is so tired that she wants nothing but sleep, and I mean "nothing". there will be times that your new born will be crying and you have no idea why, all you want to make him/her stop because of the pain you think your child is in makes you crazy. There will be times you THINK your doing all the wrong things for your child (but I guarantee, your not.... unless your an asshole and you hit or abuse).

To be the best father is to take "YOU" out of your chain of needs and to put your child and wife first and foremost above all else. All the other things you talk about, "being the best father", will fall into place if you fallow this one not so simple rule..........and if your lucky, your wife and child will repay you with there admiration. Good luck

Father of 3 boys ages 3, 5 and 8.

Answer 3

I'm not a dad, I'm not even male, but I read that the more involved in the birthing process a man is, the more involved with the baby he will be. Maybe when your wife conceives you could both sit together and read to the baby (I've also read alot about how baby can hear it's parents voices and music while in the womb. Also that baby can sense it's mothers emotions and when she's upset will kick more) Not only will baby be able to hear you, but doing this together would, I think, strengthen your bonds and the bond you'll both build with baby. You and your wife can read every book on parenting there is, but I think going by your instincts is much more reliable. Congratulations ahead of time, and the best of luck to you both.

Answer 4

You are on the right track already! To question your ability to be a good dad means you are willing to learn and improve as you go. There are great books available for fathers to be, try reading some of those. Also be an active part in your wife's prenatal care, if possible. Attend childbirth and parenting classes if they are available. You can even offer to babysit family members' kids or even friends' kids, just so you can practice the little things like diaper changing or reading a story.

Answer 5

I would say that your on the right track now, being concerned about being a good father. I don't think anything can ever prepare you for being a dad, it just happens, and you kinda learn as you go. Just be the best you can be, do what you can do, and spend time with you kid. Don't let work take away from your family life, or he/she won't have a father, just a caretaker.

Good luck, and hope everything goes well with your wifes pregnancy.

Answer 6

The greatest gift you can give your children is a stable homelife. I urge you strongly, if possible, to have their mother stay home with them. Be an involved parent. Even when you come home from work all worn out, make time for them. If possible, Mom needs to be a stay-at-home mom. The child needs to know that they are the most important thing in your life. Please don't farm them out to someone else to raise. Be willing to scrimp if you have to and do without a second income just to give them a parent who is always there. When our first child was born, my wife quit work to stay at home. Our income went down 40% from that decision, but we have never regretted it. When the other kids in town were running the streets and getting into trouble, our kids knew that Mom had her eye on them. If they had a problem, Mom was just a holler away. Our kids may not have had all the latest gadgets, and we may not have eaten out as many times as the neighbors did, but they had love. Kids don't really need alot of things, they just need the chance to be happy. Best wishes on starting your family.

Answer 7

Prepare yourself to experience a love so pure it will keep you awake at night. I love being a dad! Nobody can possibly prepare you for how awesome this experience is going to be. A few guidelines.
Never say anything to your child that attacks their self esteem- (like, that was stupid, etc...)
Hug them often. Allow them free access to you when they are little. That means if they wake up in the middle of the night, they should be allowed to come down to you and mom and snuggle right down between you. Children who can trust their parents to protect and nurture them when they are small, grow up to be teenagers who trust their parents to guide them in those turbulent years.
I wish you the very best man, oh yeah, and one final piece of advice, - remember that nothing you ever own will be more valuable than your child, so if they break something, be grateful they weren't what was broken, and anything that you want to make sure doesn't get broken, lock up for a few years until it is safe to put out again.

Answer 8

Parenthood is something that just comes naturally. You can read all those stupid books until the cows come home but it can never fully prepare you. Listen to the song "Father and Son" by Cat Stevens. That use to make me cry all the time when I was pregnant. My son's father use to think of himself as the son in the song until our son came. Now he's both. Good luck daddy.

Answer 9

To prepare for fatherhood, all you need to do is just be there for your wife whilst she is pregnant...this means going to her doctor's appts. with her and being her coach when she is giving birth. I know you'll be a good responsible father just by the way you are acting so concerned now! All you can do is just go with the flow!

Answer 10

If you love your wife and she says that you are the best husband then, i think that you already have the knowledge of how to love and take care of someone. I think that you will know when the baby is here.