forum
  • Recent Discussions
Welcome, Guest
Please Login or Register.    Lost Password?
Go to bottomPage: 1
TOPIC: This is harder than I thought it would be
 

jonfisher
This is harder than I thought it would be
1 Year, 9 Months ago
My wife and I had our baby boy just over a week ago. Despite more than 9 months of preparation, I was still not mentally prepared for bringing the little guy home and starting our lives as a family. Talk about an emotional hammer! We're getting used to the lack of sleep and settling into a routine.

It gets easier, right?
The administrator has disabled public write access.

Cook
Re:This is harder than I thought it would be
1 Year, 9 Months ago
I'm with ya. When we brought our boys home (twins) I lost it. Emotionally I was a wreck. We had some friends and family come in to help out. After a week or two I started to balance out and it got much better. I was a champo thorugh the difficult pregnancy and thge time in the hospital (miserable nights in the hospital), but at home afer a completely sleepless night at home I couldn't handle it. I dealt with a lot of similar symptoms that women deal with in PPD. Guilt and fear ruled the roost.

I have read that men's testoterone drops after the birth of their children as well which can lead to these emotions and difficulty coping.

What helped me: Get help (friends or professional), talk to your spouse and get some sleep.

BTW, congrats on the son!
The administrator has disabled public write access.

bobjr79
Re:This is harder than I thought it would be
1 Year, 9 Months ago
It does get easier, sort of. To be honest it kinda ebbs and flows. In about a month you guys should have some sense of normalcy. That's how my experience has been anyway.

Welcome and congrats on the baby boy!
The administrator has disabled public write access.

Daddy Clay
Re:This is harder than I thought it would be
1 Year, 9 Months ago
Congrats! And thanks for starting this thread.

It does get easier. Newborns are a challenge. But it's a gradual change. You'll look up in a few months and realize you've found a routine that's survivable.

It my sound funny, but with my youngest now 5 -- he started dressing himself this week, effectively ending a 12 year run of raising babies small children -- I envy you.

I understand the struggles. But these are also the good times.
The administrator has disabled public write access.

WaterfordDadOf2
Re:This is harder than I thought it would be
1 Year, 9 Months ago
The adjustment from being on your own schedule to your baby's does take some getting used to. It can challenge the very fabric of your existance.

I drove like a 80 year old man and watched every single movement by anyone or anything in constant worry about my kids during the first month.

A good nights sleep won't come back for a couple months and the mother will be frazzled for a while with emotions running high.

The most important thing is that you try to focus on yourselves a little bit too. Take turns sleeping in on days off while the other even takes the new baby for a drive or visits family. This will at least help regain some sanity.

Also if you have a grandparent or other family member that can give the two of you a night out - even if it is dinner and a movie or something, just to feel normal for a night will go a long way to keeping you in the game.

Within a few months, your child will start to doing new things and will amaze you every step of the way. Nothing is cooler then when your child gets old enough to squeal and crawl over to you as soon as you walk in the door. It will take any stress in your day and blast it away.

I wish you all the best with the new addition to the family and it really does get easier. Fatherhood is soooooo worth it. There is however some inital pain to get used to.
The administrator has disabled public write access.

Daddy Troy
Re:This is harder than I thought it would be
1 Year, 9 Months ago
Sleep deprivation makes it even harder to keep it together.

One of the the things parents of two year olds and older say is "I have forgotten how hard it was."
The administrator has disabled public write access.

Daddy Troy
Re:This is harder than I thought it would be
1 Year, 9 Months ago
Sleep deprivation makes it even harder to keep it together.

One of the the things parents of two year olds and older say is "I have forgotten how hard it was."
The administrator has disabled public write access.

Ryan S~
Re:This is harder than I thought it would be
1 Year, 9 Months ago
Had the same thing happen when our little one showed up. Believe me, it's normal. You'll be up to speed in no time and enjoying your boy.

Have fun!
The administrator has disabled public write access.

Daddy Brad
Re:This is harder than I thought it would be
1 Year, 9 Months ago
Congrats and welcome. The first few months can be brutal mostly because of the sleep. My youngest is about to turn 9 months and has been sleeping well for a month or so and things are rosy.

Yes it gets easier! Enjoy every moment because they really do grow up quick.
The administrator has disabled public write access.
Go to topPage: 1
Forum
Welcome
Introduce Yourself
Powered by Kunenaget the latest posts directly to your desktop

New Live Show

Catch the latest episode of DadLabs Live.
Every Thursday at 1pm CST

example_live_show

Broadcasted live from DadLabs World HQ. Good News Dad News brings you the latest parenting news, reviews and hot topics.

Watch it Now

Recent Video

Year of the Dad
Year of the Dad

Episode 845 - Year of the Dad. What's trending in ... more

Year of the Dad

Episode 845 - Year of the Dad. What's trending in 2012? Dads! Laurie Gelman, co-host of The Mom Show talks about the shifting roles of primary care givers from Mom to Dad. There's also the scarier trend of reality TV/YouTube/internet fame influencing parenting. Parents need to be more aware of what children are watching. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends no more than 2.5 hours of "screen time" which includes ALL screens, not just TV. One way to battle technology and hours and hours of texting, bad youtube videos, and generally bad programming is family dinner. Unplug and spend genuine quality time with your family.

eProofing Your Wireless Network
eProofing Your Wireless Network

Daddy Clay points out the importance of setting up... more

eProofing Your Wireless Network

Daddy Clay points out the importance of setting up a secure wireless network. It's easy to with the software that comes with your router, and can be done via the "Network and Sharing Center" control panel on PCs, or the Airport Utility on Macs. Giving the access code out also can allow access to your personal files on devices on that network. Some routers like the Linksys e4200 offer Dual Zone, Guest Zone, or SSID features which allow you to set up access to the internet, but NOT your other devices on the network. Shutting down the network is a great way to limit family access and controlling time limits for your children, particularly during certain times like study time, family dinner, or even overnight.

Please visit www.facebook.com/ciscolinksys to enter the Geek Dad Cool Contest for your chance to win $10,000 worth of home networking and entertainment prizes from Linksys. Embrace Your Inner Geek! Contest ends February 17, 2012.

Episode 844 is brought to you by Linksys - everything you need for a wireless home.

Recent Forum

Expecting our first!

Hello fellow dads! My wife and I recently found out that our first child is on the way! I am definitely a little nervous, but hone... more

The Wilds

How have I neglected The Wilds? It's a wildlife sanctuary in SE Ohio that spans 10,000 acres o... more

Recent Blog

Why Reading About Parenting is Bad for You

Reading parenting columns is a dangerous business. You should go back to playing Fruit Nin… more

Preggers Take Over Live Show

Miranda and I are taking over the DadLabs Live Show on February 15 at 2pm CST/ 3pm EST… more

followus facebook flickr twitter
Banner