First Time Fatherhood

Thanks Giantone. And that's probably true when they get to be in their teens. Because I can tell you when I was a teenage, I was much much smarter than my parents - at least I thought I was, lol!

We don't have kids, but a sincere congratulations to you and your wife!

I have 3 girls (6, 5, 9 months), and the best advice I can give you is to just take everything in stride. Things are going to happen, pop up, come out of left field, and the best thing to remember is that you can handle it, no matter how difficult it might seem at the moment.

The one thing that I've been able to do (with my wife's help) is my girls know that Sundays are football sundays. I get no arguments from anyone in the house once football is on the TV. The girls know that football will be on and while Daddy will help them or play with them, their shows will not be on the big TV during that time.

Fatherhood is really cool. So many different experiences, some good, some bad. Fatherhood has definitely aged me (I have the gray hairs to prove it), but I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world.

Thanks TMC! I'm looking forward to it!

BDBohnzie: You'll have to tell me the secret on how you were able to train your children on the football. That is ONE thing that I told my wife that I cannot give up, and that's watching football on Sundays. Even so much so that we budget in NFL Sunday Ticket (above putting down new flooring in the house....lol) because she knows how important it is to me!

Thanks TMC! I'm looking forward to it!

BDBohnzie: You'll have to tell me the secret on how you were able to train your children on the football. That is ONE thing that I told my wife that I cannot give up, and that's watching football on Sundays. Even so much so that we budget in NFL Sunday Ticket (above putting down new flooring in the house....lol) because she knows how important it is to me!

You will be surprised how much football will take a back seat to your kids. At least for me I rather spend time with them then watching the Skins.

On the same hand you need to make time for yourself; it is important.

You will be surprised how much football will take a back seat to your kids. At least for me I rather spend time with them then watching the Skins.

On the same hand you need to make time for yourself; it is important.

That is why I am so glad for the invention of the DVR!

Since joining this board almost a decade ago (wow, has it been THAT long), I know some of you guys have become first time fathers. Heck, some of you first time fathers have become second, third and fourth time fathers by now. Well, my wife and I are expecting our first in December. It's still a little early to make an official announcement, but we're so excited that we can't seem to keep it to ourselves.

Now, my wife bought me a "Fatherhood Survival Kit book" (I'm paraphrasing I don't know the exact title right off the top of my head) which I plan on reading cover to cover. But, I figured I'd get some "real life" testimonies, if you will, from some of you guys here who have recently (in the past several years) have become first time Dads. Heck, even those who have been Dads for awhile.

What was it like initially for you? Was it a "Oh crap, here goes the rest of my life" feeling or did you think of it as a cool new addition to an already pretty cool life? Did you think fatherhood changed you in anyway? Did you think it aged you (other than maybe maturing you?) Or, do you still feel as young as ever, just maybe a bit more grounded?

Congratulations, Skinsguy! I had one kid when I joined Warpath around the same time as you. Now I've got five (yeah, you read that right).

Life changes and there are sacrifices, but it's all certainly worthwhile.

My advice: always give more love than you think necessary; be patient and let them act like kids (it's easy to expect too much of them); work together with your wife and be consistent in disciplining your kids, but always follow-up discipline with a sincere showing of love; and as they get older make sure they see how much you love your wife and that she always comes first. Last one may seem counter-intuitive, but it makes for a stronger home and sets a good foundation for your kids' future relationships.

Fatherhood is outstanding. You're the best dad your kid(s) can have.

Congratulations, Skinsguy! I had one kid when I joined Warpath around the same time as you. Now I've got five (yeah, you read that right).

Life changes and there are sacrifices, but it's all certainly worthwhile.

My advice: always give more love than you think necessary; be patient and let them act like kids (it's easy to expect too much of them); work together with your wife and be consistent in disciplining your kids, but always follow-up discipline with a sincere showing of love; and as they get older make sure they see how much you love your wife and that she always comes first. Last one may seem counter-intuitive, but it makes for a stronger home and sets a good foundation for your kids' future relationships.

Fatherhood is outstanding. You're the best dad your kid(s) can have.

Awesome advice CooleyAsCanBe! Thanks so much for your input! It definitely sounds like you have your hands full! 5 kids! WOW!!!!!

http://www.searchquotes.com/sof/images/picture_quotes/167517_20131211_183732_saying.jpg (http://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&docid=NrWxdepLgTXtvM&tbnid=ByGuboHZ8FDZxM:&ved=0CAUQjRw&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.searchquotes.com%2Fquotes%2Fa bout%2FFather_Daughter%2F&ei=LZdoU-i9HMK2yAGBhYCwDQ&bvm=bv.66111022,d.aWw&psig=AFQjCNEwnOnZ2ph880CG5mTsrj2I2w3Jqw&ust=1399449581130280)

http://www.searchquotes.com/sof/images/picture_quotes/167517_20131211_183732_saying.jpg (http://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&docid=NrWxdepLgTXtvM&tbnid=ByGuboHZ8FDZxM:&ved=0CAUQjRw&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.searchquotes.com%2Fquotes%2Fa bout%2FFather_Daughter%2F&ei=LZdoU-i9HMK2yAGBhYCwDQ&bvm=bv.66111022,d.aWw&psig=AFQjCNEwnOnZ2ph880CG5mTsrj2I2w3Jqw&ust=1399449581130280)

I think every dad should have this motto going through his head! Lord knows I want to live up to that!