It’s time for a little self promotion! So, last year, I edited and published lots of stories from my website, www.thedadspeaks.com, into a best selling ebook for purchase on Amazon.com only.
Providing some new content for the book was a must. One of the new things I added was advice for new dads.
Now, I am pleased tell share it with you at no cost; but I will appreciate you buying and reviewing my ebook on Amazon.com. It’s only $4.99. I think that is less than a Starbucks drink! As Niko says, “DO IT NOW.”
I am actually doing this because one of my co-workers became a 1st time dad a few weeks ago and when I saw him at his desk last week, he looked absolutely exhausted. I told him Nina and I took turns sleeping for the first days, don’t buy anything on Amazon.com at 3am in the morning, and eventually sleep will get better for everybody.
Those first weeks are probably the hardest. I really wish I could’ve been more prepared or been given advice; I had no clue what to expect. Maybe, I should make it my mission to help first time dads. Oh no, now I am thinking about doing that. See, that is how my brain works.
This co-worker worked with me in my previous department at the bank and when I heard and saw his name, it was familiar to me. He was a quarterback for a high school football team in San Antonio and me being a high school football statistician in San Antonio, I worked several of his games. Since he was the quarterback, he got a lot of marks on my stat-board.
Now for reals, I will share my advice:
Don’t ask questions when she wants something to eat; find a way to satisfy her appetite. And, if she changes her mind when you return, don’t be annoyed. Just laugh and enjoy eating in front of her. This is really only during the pregnancy.
Even though it is very nice having family and friends at the hospital before, during, and after the delivery, make sure you get some alone time.
Take care of her first. Spoil the crap out of her. She will take care of the baby. You will find time to take care of yourself. You may have to lose a little sleep to do this. Whatever you do especially in the early times don’t complain about how tired or sleepy you are or how little sleep you got because I guarantee you that the person who has just grown a baby and pushed it out of her body is more tired.
Don’t take it personally if she criticizes the way you do things with the baby. It is her motherly instincts which are very strong and she can’t help it. Say thank you…because you don’t want to provoke a stupid argument about how you picked up the baby, fed the baby, swaddled the baby, or bathed the baby; you get what I am trying to say.
Acknowledge her when they have the baby and are waiting for you. If I could get a penny for every time “one more minute” is mentioned in my house, I would be a billionaire. But, I have to brutally honest and tell you that more than often “one more minute” is actually like 10 minutes because something always has to be done when it comes to the baby. And, this can be for anytime and anything throughout the day.
Talk and/or sing to your baby daily when they are in the womb. Never raise your voice.
Put your electronics away. I know you want to take pictures and videos, but you have to enjoy every moment because this is by far the best thing that will happen to you.
Don’t worry about what happened yesterday or today because each day gets better and easier.
Be involved in everything your baby does. Don’t sit at home to watch a sporting event when mom and baby are out at the park; that never happened to me.
For now, you’re no longer honey pie or cute boy; as my wife calls me, or any other cute nickname your wife or girlfriend has given you; you are simply known as dad!
If you need some alone time, don’t be afraid to ask your wife or girlfriend. Just make sure you reciprocate; a lady always needs a massage, pedicure, hair done, etc…
Dada won’t be your baby’s first word; it will be mama…trust me, I tried!
You’re no longer required to give an exact time to be someplace as you’re now on baby time. Just remember that everything takes longer; so, a 30-minute trip will actually be about 2 hours.
Be proactive when mom doesn’t have the time to do something; just do it. You may need to hire some help around the house because mom does a lot and may not have the time or energy.
Don’t stress out over stupid things.
Be prepared to shell out money for baby stuff and don’t worry about prices.
Be patient when it comes to having sex; it will happen eventually. Don’t put your penis where it doesn’t belong.
And the last two words of advice in my 1st of several books about being a dad; have fun!
