Being a good father to your baby is not as daunting as it seems. Yes, being a good father takes effort, but it is work with rewards better than any dollar could ever bring. With a little common sense and commitment, being a Dad will be one of the most rewarding things you will ever do!
1. Be There
The first step of being a good father is to simply be there. Infants need their Dad, toddlers need their father, and so do alll the other age groups. Simply paying support or even worse, abandoning your baby and his/her mother are considered the worst things that one can do. It is understandable if the mother and father are not together and can't get along, but the father should still make an effort to be a part of the baby’s life, no matter what.
2. Get Involved
While being there is a big thing, what a man does while he is there is equally significant. If Dad is there but does not interact with the baby, then he may as well not even be there. If he is not going to take on the responsibilities of the child-rearing process, such as changing diapers and feeding, then he is simply taking up space and doing nothing to help.
3. Patience, Patience, Patience
Patience is vital in fathering of a baby. Babies are not pre-equipped with language. They have to learn their parent’s language. This can be a very frustrating time for everyone. However, anger and frustration should not be shown to the child for his or her lack of understanding. Anger and frustration can be damaging to the child’s ability to learn the meaning of things and can set a child back even further.
4. Manage Your Emotions
Anger management is another big thing to remember in being a good father. Yes, exhaustion is very trying and yes, the baby may cry all night. However, that does not give anyone the right to be mad at that baby. Aggression towards the baby can be fatal to something so small. Anger management is an absolute must in being a good father. If anger is a problem, seek anger management classes, walk away and leave the care to the mother while learning to control the anger.
5. Self-Control
Self-control is the final big pointer to being a good father, and it goes beyond anger and patience. Self-control means kicking any habits that may be harmful to the baby and beginning a life that is healthy and that is productive. If the baby should not be doing those things, then it is the responsibility of the father to ensure that the baby is not exposed to those things. This includes excessive smoking, drinking, or the partaking of illegal substances.
It is the interactions and conduct of the man around his baby that makes a good father. While these can be challenging tasks at times, the rewards of watching that baby grow into a beautiful young man or woman are well worth the difficulties of parenthood.
Read More:
Getting Dad Prepared for Fatherhood
16 Pregnancy Tips for Dads-to-be