"Wake up, this pregnancy test is positive."

That's how my girlfriend woke me up yesterday morning. We've been together for almost 4 years, and kids were definitely in the plan, but there's a reason we bought birth control every month. Suffice to say, yesterday was a very long day with both of us going from shocked, scared, uncertain, to excited, back to scared, then happy, and now anxious.

I came on here hoping to find the secret seven-hundred and eighty-three point manifesto outlining everything an expectant first time father will experience and how to respond, including how does this affect my fantasy football league. But no such luck so far.

So finally, the question I set out looking for an answer for, Is anyone ever really ready for that fateful pee stick, planned or not? And when will this feel real? I know that's really two questions, but internet opinions are free right?

My wife and I planned our kiddo so yes, we were really ready for the stick to say 'yes'.

I suspect it will 'feel real' to you when your lady begins to feel the effects of being pregnant and you getting to experience it in your own way(s).

Lastly, I dont fantasize about men in uniforms so needless to say....no fantasy football problems here (no offense)

The ultrasound when we got to see the kid, and hear the heartbeat, is what ultimately did it for me. There was no doubt that things changed for me the instant they turned the sound on.

We're not due till May so this seasons FFL is still a go. Can't say the same for next season. But priorities change. Maybe it wont be as important next season.

Welcome to the boat.

i dont look at it as being ready, or trying to be ready. add alot of stress on each other pushing to be ready. but when my baby girl come out to my life, a switch turned on inside of me, i knew i was going to give her a life, but after her being 1 yrs old, mother left me, and she wants to move without her daughter, that was another switch inside me that fliped on... best advice, keep the mother happy, do more than what you think you should do. and dont expect things to be, just let it be and be happy about it.

Welcome to the site. Hope things are progressing smoothly. If you are still looking for a manifesto, our book might work. Or the Sane Parents Guides.

I think its a biological thing we have built-in when the time comes you will be surprised how ready you are.