Dads wonder what they can do, how they can be a part of things, and I've heard many feel left out of the process. And I think these gives them the notion that they can just let mom handle everything. Ummm...no way guys! We all know your job is hard and you're tired, blah blah blah...but us women are expected to work, cook, clean, and take care of the kids??? Really? We are tired too! So here are my tips for being involved and starting off as a good dad.
- Go to important doctor appointments while momma is preggers....listen to the heart beat, go to the ultra sounds, be there when mom is upset or worried.
- Go to the classes. Yes they can be totally lame, but all the other dudes were dragged there too. Participate, and don't fall asleep, talk about how lame it is, or be late (ahem...like Nick was)
- Don't stress mom out! Seriously...even if something is bugging you, just leave her alone about it. She is sensitive, and hormonal. Now is not the time to tell her those jeans make her ass look big or that the chicken dinner she cooked was too salty.
- Cuddle, hug her, spend time with her, and go out and get her what she is craving.
- Pick up some of the slack...don't make her get down on the floor to scrub. Volunteer to do it. Or help when she is nesting instead of playing your video game or watching basketball. Nesting is really important for a woman...for some reason we go psycho and need the house to be spotless. We want things to be clean that you never even noticed were dirty. Like the sliding glass door tracks, or we spend hours using the magic eraser on the walls....just go with it.
- Don't complain about registering for baby stuff or the baby shower in general. If she wants you there, be there.
- Tell her you love her 5134 times a day and never say "even though you're crazy or getting huge"
- Talk to the belly, read to it, sing to it. It seems silly, but she does it and the baby will be able to recognize your voices when she arrives.
- Put together all the baby stuff...crib, bassinet, stroller, whatever....
- Make sure she is healthy, drinking water, etc....but don't snap at her if she ate cookies for dinner one day
- Be a good coach when it is go time. Hold her hand, talk nice to her, let her cuss you out, stay calm, tell her to remember to breathe...but don't get offended when she tells you to eff off. DON'T PANIC! Even if the walls are crashing down, she needs you to be her rock.
- Once the baby comes, stay with her in the hospital
- Help with the changing, feeding, bathing. Take the baby for a while to give her a break. Tell her to take a nap, make some food for her (or go get something...even if what she wants is a bit of a drive)
- She is going to be sore...so be gentle....and be nice. Her hormones will be all over the place. Add to that the lack of sleep, and probably not eating very well...it gets stressful.
- Love your baby...that is the #1 best thing you can do.
- And keep it all these things up....it's easy to slip into letting mom do everything, but mom needs a break too whether she tells you or not. We feel like we need to be super woman and do everything and never complain....but just volunteering to help out makes a world of difference.
- And still say I love you 5129 times a day.
No comments:
Post a Comment