So, you're a new father or father-to-be. Let's take as a premise that you are ready and willing to be a father, or at least you think you are. You've resigned yourself to spending way less time out with the boys, putting in less time at the office (and gym and anywhere else you spend time regularly), and following sports with considerably less interest. You think you've prepared yourself, right? Before you cash that check, you're going to need to address the three biggest lifestyle changes that a new father must deal with: forgetting traditional gender roles, losing your self-consciousness, and relating to your baby.
Forgetting Traditional Gender Roles: Simply put, the role of a new father (aside from the breastfeeding) is not all that different than that of a new mother. Carrying around a diaper bag, taking time off work for pediatrician's visits, and changing diapers in public restrooms are all examples of activities that you are going to need to get used to. We've come a long way since the '50s and, if you like progress, get on board with dual-responsibility parenting. The best way to establish an impenetrable and lasting bond with your child is to get involved, and this starts with taking on duties that have traditionally been associated with mothers.
Lose Self-Consciousness: Remember being a teenager and seeing parents of newborns make stupid faces and coo at their babies? Sure you do; and that's probably making it a little difficult for you to step into the role now. The fact that there are some parents out there who actually enjoy acting like fools shouldn't cloud the reality that it's a bit difficult for most parents to let down their adult reserve and engage in baby impersonations. But infants learn and develop by being spoken to and being shown attention. They love it and they love those who give it to them. Suck it up, turn off your awareness of the outside world, and focus on making your baby smile.
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Relating to Your Baby: Losing self-consciousness is the first step toward relating to your infant, so you're ready to take the next. It's not a difficult concept to grasp that babies don't understand the language and behaviors of adults. Eating, sleeping, and diversion are pretty much what your baby will be concerned with for a while, so master the methods of accomplishing each in ways that ensure your baby's happiness and health. To start, find out what your baby's likes and dislikes are, what causes comfort and discomfort. Once you've begun to understand what makes your baby happy, you can then begin to explore methods of keeping your baby's attention, which is the foundation of bonding. You will be amazed at how something so simple as sustaining eye contact through blinking and opening your eyes wide can turn into a game that both delights and teaches your child how to learn. Before you know it, you will be in babyland, acting and understanding like a baby instead of a grown man--and you won't even mind.
Thefunkystork.com is a pregnancy resource and parenting guide for expectant fathers and new dads. It provides only general information designed for educational purposes, and does not offer pregnancy or pediatric advice. You should always consult a physician about concerns you have with your pregnancy or your child's health.
NEW DADS 
boys, putting in less time at the office (and gym and anywhere else you spend time regularly), and following sports with considerably less interest. You think you've prepared yourself, right? Before you cash that check, you're going to need to address the three biggest lifestyle changes that a new father must deal with: forgetting traditional gender roles, losing your self-consciousness, and relating to your 
