Best Advice for New Dad

[Fatcamp]

We are on the tail end of raising five kids.

When I knew my first was coming I was one sad puppy. I didn't have any desire to be a father as I had little in the way of confidence I wouldn't screw it up. I spoke with a gentleman at a local watering hole who I only met that one day who was African American which was super odd for that location. Always though it was a curious coincidence.

He had a pile of kids, obviously worked for a living, and told me to always keep the same phone number and an open door policy with a freezer full of food. We talked about a lot of other things one of which being that your kids are their own human beings and you are not going to be able to control what they become. That has certainly turned out to be true.

Today is my 10th anniversary with my second wife. Still live in the same house, have the same phone number, and still have an open door policy with freezers full of food. When we got married our kids were scattered from kindergarten to the 12th grade. They have all had issues at times but are good people who have found peace within themselves. Couldn't ask for more.

 

[Arrowhunters5]

As a father to three and grandfather to three more:

Savor every single moment, it goes by way to fast, faster everyday.

The most important thing we can give our children is our time. There are way too many distractions these days, phones, computers etc. Make them feel like they are the most important thing in the whole world, even for a few moments at a time.

Be patient, understanding and calm. Their little minds go through so much that they can’t control, all the way through the late teens.

Family first, always. Work to
Live, don’t live to work.

Make memories every chance you get. Someday, that is all they will have of us. So make them good ones.

Congratulations!

 

[haywoodhunter]

1- read the Bible to them daily and pray over them.
2- don't forget your Wife....big changes in life and to her body physically/emotionally (see to her needs)
3- give your child(ren) experiences NOT things (one day all we will be is a memory, so make them good memories)
4- enjoy it all, even the late nights of crying and trying times as you will quickly look up and be staring at a grown man (my son just graduated high school and it seems like was I was holding him at bed time just last week)

I pray for wisdom for you and your wife! Blessed to be a parent of 2 children. They are indeed a blessing from above.

I have two- 3 and 5 yo. These are all wonderful and I’d recommend reading this book as well. It is an interesting read into how to raise children to love God, love others, and grow up to have a healthy relationship with you. Splits childhood into different stages with different schools of thought. It was a great read for my wife and I as well as our small group.
Parenting- getting it right

The biggest thing I’ve learned is to make sure you’re living the way you’re telling them is right. Seems obvious but I’ve caught myself telling them to be forgiving, generous, etc more than I’ve been modeling those things at times. Convicting for sure.

 

[Trav138]

It’s goes fast- enjoy it

 

[LightFoot]

Just as the title states, my wife and I welcomed a baby boy into the world recently and wanted to see what folks best advice was or if you could go back and give yourself advice when you were just starting out as a parent. Already proving to be one of our most challenging but rewarding adventures in life

Happy Father’s Day from one new dad to another.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[bowhuntercoop]

I have 3 under 3. It’s been the greatest blessing God gives you on his earth, spend as much time as possible with them and make memories. Also important to make time for momma and yourself, that are little energy suckers!

I wish I had the time, money and age to have 10 of them, they are truly Gods greatest gift!

 

[Mikido]

Remember, they are part of your life….not your life.

 

[2weak2flex]

Just as the title states, my wife and I welcomed a baby boy into the world recently and wanted to see what folks best advice was or if you could go back and give yourself advice when you were just starting out as a parent. Already proving to be one of our most challenging but rewarding adventures in life

For when your kid starts growing up: your kids will remember you by the example you set. Not by the advice you try to impart.

 

[WCB]

I'll add a couple more things:

GET THE BLUEBERRY APP https://www.blueberrypediatrics.com/ saves you time and money going to urgent cares for everyday stuff. It pays for it self after one urgent care visit and you don't have to leave home. YOu basically do virtual appointments and they send you equipment like O2/heart beat monitor, ear scope, thermometers, etc. Look into it...it has been a game changer.

Family: Don't let any of them (or anyone) make you feel like your kid is a inconvenience. One kid is a big change but fairly easy. If you start having more kids holidays and pressure to be here at X time and there at Y time go up. Not that everything revolves around the kids as it shouldn't but some stuff just doesn't line up with kids that maybe your childless sister/sister in laws no responsibility schedule wants to dictate. (ask me how I know).

2 years is the perfect gap in kids 3 isn't bad. And if possible have them as close to the same month as possible. Our oldest to are 2 days short of being exactly 2 years apart. My wife is on top of the whole timing thing in relation to when to let it rip. Our 2rd would have been exactly within a week 3 years from the middle but we lost that pregnancy. Clothes are easy to hand down and match season. They play great together, and will get to go to school together and possibly play some sports together for at least a year here and there. Since our youngest is 3.5years from the middle. Even though they are both girls...a lot of clothes don't line up season wise, no chance they play sports together, they will be at very different stages as far as toys and probably general interests. It also keep you in a certain mode as far as raising them. Our 3rd came right as our 2nd was getting completely out of diapers and we saw the light at the end of the tunnel daycare wise. Then we jumped back to step 1.

 

[LFaler]

Just as the title states, my wife and I welcomed a baby boy into the world recently and wanted to see what folks best advice was or if you could go back and give yourself advice when you were just starting out as a parent. Already proving to be one of our most challenging but rewarding adventures in life

Don’t let them have a cell phone or an iPad until they are 18

 

[brancher147]

They are only little once. Don’t let it pass you by. It goes fast

 

[jaybee129]

I'll head in a slightly different direction here than the savor every moment stuff and provide the following...it's the single biggest thing I wish someone stressed to me before becoming a new parent!

Postpartum depression and/or anxiety in women is REAL!!! OCCURS OFTEN!!! and is something you need to read up on and take seriously. Outside of the major functional changes to life, there are very real hormonal changes that take place after birth. Be on the lookout for signs, acknowledge it may happen, and be ready to voice up to your healthcare provider. Having this occur doesn't mean she's a bad mother! Ask her to be honest on the mental health assessment questionnaires that are handed out during check-ins! Consider it your job as new dad to be aware of and constantly checking mom's mental health. And, some big changes are happening in your life too as dad, so a little of the same mental check-ins from her in your direction would be great too.

 

[Speedy7722]

My boy is 15 months now and has his teeth. My brother in law told me early on that when they start acting irrational/irritable and have unusually poor sleep that 90% of the time it's because of a new tooth. I found that to be spot on and it usually lasts 2-3 days. It's frustrating at first until you understand the cause. Tylenol seemed to help him sleep better.

 

[PALlew86]

Just enjoy it. It goes by fast

 

[BravoNovember]

One that I just heard recently is “the best advice for a new parent is not forgetting what it’s like to be a kid.” I have to remember this often with my 4 year old