Congratulations! Your little one is on the way (or already here). There must be a hundred questions going through your head. Are you really ready to be a dad? What if you don’t know what to do? The road to parenthood is never easy, and dads moreover, don’t have access to tips as much as mums do. Which is why we’re here-not to tell you what to do, but to help make fatherhood a little less scary. If you’re a new dad, this one’s for you.
1. Don’t be afraid to show affection
Babies may not understand the words ‘Daddy loves you’, but they most certainly can feel your love through cradles, kisses and hugs. In fact, it is this open affection that gives little ones a sense of security; make him/her feel safe and protected. So, forget Asian stereotypes! Don’t be embarrassed to show your love explicitly. A baby who knows he/she is loved is a happy baby.
2. Make extra effort to be present
As the man of the household, it’s easy to focus on the practical necessities-diapers and milk powder cost money. And you’re not wrong! While these things are important, don’t forget what truly matters. Don’t look back one day and regret missing your baby’s first steps, first words and many more milestones; look back and be heartened to know you were there for them all.
"Besides being present, I make it a point to capture these moments and emotions. Because at the end of the day, these raw moments will always melt my heart and bring out a smile, where I know the journey is all worth it." -Kenny, 19-month-old Dad
3. There’s no such thing as ‘mummy duties’
After we have the baby taken care of, it’s time to take care of our wives. We know how much mums have to bear-breastfeeding, sleep training, doctor visits, etc. But they don’t have to be ‘mummy duties’. Sharing these responsibilities (like simply cleaning up after a mess) can mean the world to her; it shows her that she’s not alone and you have her back. Besides, the last thing you want is an exhausted wife/mother.
4. Keep dating your wife
As new parents, sometimes it’s easy to focus so much on the baby, you forget to take care of each other. After all, your marriage is what started this family, and deserves as much protection and care. So, once in a while, be intentional in getting your in-laws or friends to help babysit for a night and sneak out with your wife for a simple dinner or movie date. Even if it’s not elaborate, spending time alone keeps the romance going!
"Me and my wife, we make sure to have an ‘us time’ every night. After we put our son to sleep and finish all our chores, we’d put on our favourite TV show and talk about our day. In a way, it’s like having a mini-date every day!" - Paolo, 16-month-old Dad
5. Your wellbeing is important too
While it’s great to be involved and present, we need to remember that dads are humans too. Don’t be afraid to verbalise your tiredness; tell your wife if you really need a bit of time off and take turns having breaks. This way, none of you will be over-exhausted and you’ll find parenthood to be a lot more enjoyable when you have ample physical and mental strength.
At that, it helps to drink a bottle of BRAND’S® Essence of Chicken every day. Not only does it strengthen your body and provide the energy to power through the work day, it also serves as a mood-lifter and relieves the mental stress of a working dad. Nothing beats the feeling of being at your best for your loved ones!
6. Don’t worry about being the perfect dad
Ultimately, there’s no such thing as a perfect dad. You can read all the tips you want, but truthfully, we’re all still learning. It’s important to realise that you’re already the super-dad your kid needs just the way you are, and simply enjoy every step of the way.
"There’s no textbook to being a dad. It took a lot of exploring to learn what my kid enjoys, but we have fun! And that’s the most important. My son will grow up very quickly, so I’m going to enjoy every moment while I can." - Jared, 18-month-old Dad
We make mistakes and are sometimes clueless, but it’s okay to ask for help! Just keep pressing on and you’ll realise what a wonderful thing it is to be a father to a child.