When you choose to spend more time with your kid and family at home and you really want to embrace the joys of fatherhood, things may look both exciting and challenging at the same time, especially if this is the first time you have been a father.
If you want to make the experience equally rewarding for you, your kids, and your partner, here are some tips that should help:
If you want to make the experience equally rewarding for you, your kids, and your partner, here are some tips that should help:
- Discuss the matter with your partner/wife. It is important to set boundaries, rules, and expectations that must be followed by everyone so that no issues arise. If you don’t set them from the beginning, your home life together with your kids will be chaotic and you will struggle to impose order afterwards. You may not agree with everything but you should try to find some common ground at least so you can start working on it.
- Establish a routine. After you set the parenting rules with your partner, make sure you establish the routine you have set and be consistent with it so your kids know what to do and how to behave on certain times and situations e.g. eating dinner at 8 p.m. and getting to bed at 11 p.m.
- Spend some quality time with your kids without neglecting yourself. Of course being a good parent implies that you need to spend some quality time with your kids—but that doesn’t have to be a chore for you. If you can find some activities you all seem to enjoy, everyone will be happy and you’ll come closer as a family. You could for example arrange a family movie night or play a group game like monopoly or twister—or simply cook pizza together. If you need some fresh air, don’t feel guilty, just get out of the house to keep calm and re-charge your batteries.
- Seek external support from other parents or even an expert if necessary. If you have friends with kids your age, great—you’ll find many things and experiences to share and you can both learn from each other. In most occasions, you don’t need to hire an expert to guide you on parenting but if you have some serious worries on how to do your job right as a parent, it would be wise to seek expert help.
- Embrace the Experience. There is no more rewarding and fulfilling job than being a father. Caring for your child during the first few years of his or her life is a wonderful opportunity. You not only get to observe and witness the major milestones, but, you get to share and enjoy the small wondrous moments that happen every day!
- Ask for Help, When Needed. Even super dads need help every now and then. There are times that you will be overwhelmed, frustrated and downright tired. At these moments of high stress seek out help from your partner, family or friends. It is amazing how little time it takes to recharge your batteries and regain your sanity. If you’re repeatedly feeling overwhelmed, seek professional help.
