Dad, Contribute to Parenting

If you are feeling like your child does not love you or that you are not really a major part of your babies life, then you need to figure out how you can contribute and take on more responsibility. As a father, sitting on the sideline while mother does all of the work, will not lead to you ultimately feeling like you’re part of the family. Just the opposite, in fact. You need to figure out ways that you can contribute.

When your baby first comes home, and for the first few months, your baby will be in need of your partner in order to eat, assuming that she is breastfeeding. On the other hand, there’s nothing that the baby absolutely has to have from you. That means that you are going to have to make a concerted effort in order to participate in raising your baby. Don’t just sit on the sidelines and wait - it may be awhile if you do.

In order to become a father and feel like one, you must work on contributing to your baby’s life. This means that you may have to insert yourself at bedtime, or when it’s time to bathe the baby. While this may not be natural for you, it doesn’t really matter. In order to actually become a father, you must learn to do these things. Be careful, show love to your child, and give your partner a break.

You may find that some tasks with the baby are difficult or no fun at first. Changing a diaper isn’t really the pinnacle of being fun. You’ll certainly be glad when you’re done with diapers. However, part of being a parent and father means that you’ll be part of the good and the bad. You don’t simply get to have the good feelings of parenthood - you’re going to have to go through the not fun parts as well.

Parenting takes a lot of work - it’s a big responsibility and it will require that you spend time and effort. Too often, a father goes into having a baby thinking that you’ll start to feel like a parent as soon as the baby is born. While that may be true for a few fathers, that’s generally not the case. You earn your status as a father, and that feeling comes only after you’ve put in the time and effort with your baby.

To be part of the best parts of parenting (the smiles, the snuggling, the hugs and kisses), you must be part of the not so fun parts of parenting (the diapers, the late nights, and the screaming). Yes, it’s a lot of work. It’s not simple, and you’ll come to appreciate more the sacrifices that your own parents went through for you. Ultimately, the effort will pay off if you keep at it.

Some of the best parts of parenting come after the hard parts. Your child falls asleep in your arms...after an hour of crying constantly. Your child gives you a hug...after they’ve been whining because they want your phone. Your child snuggles on the couch with you...after throwing their food all over the kitchen to be cleaned up. The highs and lows of parenting like to come together at the same time, but it’s those highs that make the lows worth it.

You must work to feel like a father - you need to be involved and take on responsibilities. Once you do, will soon begin to see the fruits of your labor and actually start to feel like you are a father.