You cannot believe that you have just made a whole other person. Entering parenthood is not something anybody is truly prepared for. The jitters begin and reality sets in when you first see the ultrasound of your little one. From daydreaming about giving your child a fairytale life to the cooking of scenarios in which they will need your protection, you start growing as a father. Fatherhood does change you, and for the better. Everything might seem to be moving too fast right now. Take a breather and read on to see how your life might change in just a few months.
Personal Time, Bye-Bye!
Maybe not entirely. When your child grows up and goes to school, you can work some me-time somewhere. But your hours of golfing, fooling around with the boys and meaningless television are all about to be cut drastically. You will find yourself actively canceling plans just to make time for your little one. You would rather watch them giggle at your storytelling than drink a be.er with your friends.
Here is the best part: you don’t mind at all. This little person who you love so much is your whole world now. You don’t want to be anywhere else.
Sleep, Bye-Bye!
This is especially true in the early years. Babies have extremely odd sleep schedules. They seem to be sleeping all day but at night they are a bundle of energy. You want to do the right thing and be there for your partner- so you get up at 3 am- to help change, feed and burp your bundle of joy. Mommy needs some rest too and you realize this intuitively. But this gets better soon. Well maybe like in a year or so. Whenever the baby naps, make sure that you doze off as well.
Responsibility, Hello!
Once you absorb the fact that you have just become a father, you notice something very strange happening to you. You have just become a whole lot more responsible. Your friends who knew you from college wouldn’t recognize the man taking out the trash without being told. You will feel a whole lot more protective towards your partner and your baby. You notice things you never did before. You wish to help your partner out in every way that you can to make this easier for them. This is one of the best ways in which you change as a result of fatherhood.
River of Emotions, Hello!
Earlier, you would have never imagined yourself crying or bursting with joy at the ‘little things. Who is this new person and what has the baby done with the old you? Something as small as your baby’s first word or first step leaves your eyes filled with tears. You cannot process just how happy you are. You cannot believe that you love someone so much. Even those who have never been in touch with their sensitive side before will find themselves warming up to a baby smiling. Your partner will appreciate this new side of you. This will bring you so much closer than you thought possible.
Romance Bye-Bye
This is somewhat a downer. You will find that the chances of getting ɪntimate with your partner are so much fewer than before. You both are so busy throughout the day. At night, you just want to sleep and nothing else. Even though you both miss your ɪntimate moments, you would rather spend time with the baby. Once in a while, get a sitter and take some time off for just the two of you. You deserve it. Enjoy a couple of hours away from your baby and try not to worry too much (you probably will).
Financial Priorities, Hello!
Having a baby in this time and era is quite expensive. We are talking about diapers and napkins, to begin with, and college tuition as time goes. Do not panic. Every new father feels that they are not earning enough. You blame yourself for spending so much on yourself earlier. You will start looking up ways to save as much as possible. Indulgences now are the latest baby carrier rather than that console that you wanted to buy last year. When it comes to your baby, it does not feel like you are spending more than you should no matter what.
If you find yourself becoming a whole new person in just a few months, you are not alone. Fatherhood does this to everybody. It is no wonder why we look up to our fathers as strong and protective figures. Fatherhood makes you appreciate your father a whole lot more.
