Biggest shock becoming a father

[eybic]

I'm due to become a Dad for the first time in 10 weeks time and was wondering what the biggest shock was for the Dad's of PH?

[imp123]

Just how much poo can be produced by something so little, it's like poo-ma-geddon!

[sploosh]

Looking back 8 years down the line and wondering where the time went!

They don't stay small for long so make the most of it.

Oh and the amount of blood and stuff that comes out of the business end during birth is a bit of an eye opener.

[popegregory]

Biggest one for me was that as a non baby enthusiast, you really do get as attached to them as everyone says. You'll start off with a screaming ball of responsibility but only 3 months in you get the fact it recognises you, misses you and is visibly happy you're there. It's brilliant.

You'll also find that absolutely everyone views you differently. Employers will see you as more responsible, your mates (even the ones you've had the most irresponsible fun with) will consider you grown up and women will want to talk to you more :-)

[Frenchda]

The immense emotion when I first held my children, it does literally rock you to the core.

[wiggy001]

The unconditional love you can feel for someone, even when they have just projectile vomitted their breakfast all over you.

[BoRED S2upid]

When they decide to come 7 weeks early! Now that's a shock.

[eybic]

I'm really looking forward to the emotional "switch" when he's born. The worrying thing is that I can't stand sick and st, so I've got some "interesting" times ahead

[Mr E]

BoRED S2upid said:

When they decide to come 7 weeks early! Now that's a shock.

This. Thankfully he was healthy and we were mostly prepared at home.

[eybic]

BoRED S2upid said:

When they decide to come 7 weeks early! Now that's a shock.

Yeah, that's a concern. We've got pretty much everything we need so should he decide to make an early appearance we should be cool.

[Justin Cyder]

Frenchda said:

The immense emotion when I first held my children, it does literally rock you to the core.

I think that's probably the big one. I never considered that side of it & no one mentioned it to me, but when it happens, it's a huge emotional rush. The rest of it, poos, nappies, no sleep; that stuff is like work - you don't have a choice, so you just get on with it & it simply becomes part of your routine but the bond you feel is something incredible.

[schmalex]

sploosh said:

Looking back 8 years down the line and wondering where the time went!

They don't stay small for long so make the most of it.

Agreed. My son is 11 now and that has passed in the blink of an eye

[StuntmanMike]

eybic said:

I'm really looking forward to the emotional "switch" when he's born. The worrying thing is that I can't stand sick and st, so I've got some "interesting" times ahead

Doesn't matter, you'll see it differently when it's yours.
Your about to have your life turned upside down, in a way you can't imagine, it will be really really hard work to start with.
But you will love every minute.

[12TS]

The difference in holidays. They weren't. At least for the first four years.

15 years and no regrets though.

[WolfAir]

Get your sleep in. I have just started work had alarm set for 7am. The kid was up at 6. Wide awake burbling away.
It is true what they say time is flying past but is worth every minute.
Mine has only ever thrown up on me. Hes kept the good stuff like weeing and pooing midchange of the nappy for the wife lol.
Most important piece of advice personally, when your partner is in labour stay up at the top end. Trust me do not let curiosity take over, stay at the top. Good luck it is the best rollercoaster i have every been on.

[BoRED S2upid]

Mr E said:

This. Thankfully he was healthy and we were mostly prepared at home.

We were half way through an extension and had to go and live elsewhere when we broke out of hospital.

[alock]

eybic said:

...what the biggest shock was for the Dad's of PH?

For me it was losing the ability to be spontaneous. Enjoy the fact that for the next 10 weeks the two of you can just do things together. Going to a shop, a restaurant, a pub or visiting friends etc... becomes harder. You have to time trips between feeds, take a massive bag (or even car) full of stuff everywhere you go. Each trip out needs as much planning as a weekend away did before.

[Justin S]

The amount of nappies they get through. the fact that poo and sick is vile, but it doesn't matter , as it your childs, not just now but from then on ( except when they are 21 and puke all over the hallway, drunk, its then the wifes child !!)
Get some sleep now, enjoy the times of learning with them. Teaching them from the beginning, works wonders for them. My son wouldn't eat unless we recited the alphabet or wrote down numbers from 1 onwards to hundreds, it just fascinated him. He revels in maths now.
Fun times ahead and hope it all goes well for you.

[cookmysock]

how big your wife's boobs get.

my wife's, not yours...

[007 VXR]

schmalex said:

sploosh said:

Looking back 8 years down the line and wondering where the time went!

They don't stay small for long so make the most of it.

Agreed. My son is 11 now and that has passed in the blink of an eye

Agree, 7 years in now, but the time has flown quicker than at any other in my life (now 45)