That night I began a new life.
-Henry Gregor Felsen
On behalf of everyone at Lifetime Adoption Agency Florida, we’d like to wish you a Happy Father’s Day!
If you’re about to become a dad for the first-time, chances are you’re feeling a little anxious. We’ve listed the top 7 things that first-time fathers worry about, and tips on how to rise above!
1. Will I love my baby once he comes home with us?
Many first-time dads ask themselves if they have the ability to love a tiny being who screams and makes a mess. But you’ll find that these self-doubts go away when you get involved in caring for your baby. Hands-on experience is a great way to strengthen the bond between you and your child.
2. What if my child doesn’t love me?
The truth is that your child will love you because they have a built-in capacity to form a relationship with you! You can encourage this natural ability by giving your baby tons of love and affection. In turn, your child will instinctively return the affection.
3. How will I ever learn how to care for a baby?
Washing, changing, and feeding a baby are like any other skills, in that you can learn them through training and practice. So long as you make up your mind to become competent in these baby care tasks, you’ll soon gain the ability.
4. What will happen with our relationship once we become parents?
No relationship can stay the same forever. You and your spouse are starting a new phase of your lives, and things won’t be the same as before. With any luck, they’ll be better! You’ll come to find that sharing in the upbringing of your new baby brings you even closer together than you were before.
5. What if I end up resenting our baby for all the attention she gets?
A few first-time dads feel jealous when they see the new baby in his mother’s arms. A twinge of envy is normal. You can tackle this stressor head-on by being honest with yourself and with your wife. Make an effort to set aside time for each other every day.
6. What will happen if I accidentally hurt the baby?
This is very unlikely to happen. Babies are a lot sturdier than you think. But it’s always wise to have safety issues at the front of your mind whenever you’re handling your baby. You can do this by making sure your baby is safe and secure wherever she is, and make sure to hold her firmly. Take extra care when lifting her out of the bath.
7. Will I lose my identity and become a father instead of a person?
People around you will think of you as your baby’s father, and you’ll become completely immersed in baby-care issues. This becomes part of your life. Remember that you’ll continue to have other roles in life too, like husband, son, employee, and friend, so you won’t lose your identity.
You’ve got this, daddy!
