A manly heart-to-heart.
Women are bombarded with advice when they’re about to become a parent. Advice on breastfeeding, nappy changing, bottle feeding, and how to handle sleep deprivation. They’re given advice from their mum, grandma, aunty, girlfriends, cousins, colleagues, randoms on the train, that guy on the internet… you get it.
Men, on the other hand, don’t get as much of the juice on how to handle being a first time dad. So Reddit user, Smithhon took to the internet to get some honest advice from fellow fathers.
“This is a very exciting time for my wife and I. I am also very nervous/anxious about being the best parent I can be. What are some of the things that didn’t even cross your mind, and you wished you were better prepared for?”
The swarm of responses that came back were gorgeous and just the advice all new dads need.
We didn’t want Smithhon to keep all the advice to himself so we’re sharing it with you.
The advice is real:
"It can be very rough, it makes you feel totally clueless, and possibly wonder what the heck you were thinking ever having a kid.
Those first weeks can be hell for some people. Lack of sleep, lack of proper meals, lack of energy or free time, etc. It's a bit of a game changer and like bootcamp.Some people say it "doesn't get easier it only gets different" but for me? After the first few weeks/months it sure as hell got a LOT easier. Newborn-Bootcamp is rough, man.
So don't panic or think it'll be forever if you struggle. Sleep deprivation wreaks havoc on your brain and body so on top of getting to know this new person and them getting to know you, you're like a walking zombie. It gets better." - jamiejew
The advice is helpful:
"I'd never changed a diaper in my life, and it didn't take me long to be better at it than my wife (my son is almost 2 and she still forgets to point the penis down) so don't give your SO an excuse. There's a ton of diapers in a day, he can do his share.
