Mommies - did being a 'Daddy' come naturally to your DH's??

karen32 Posted: Mar 07, 2004 01:09 PM

Mommies - did being a 'Daddy' come naturally to your DH's??

last night we watched my god-daughter for about 6 hours. it amazes me that this 2 1/2 month old can instill such fear in a grown man!! although he was fascinated by her, he was somewhat 'afraid' of her (not sure if that is the right word). I kept making excuses why i had to go upstairs, so that he could spend some one-on-one time with her. after about 4 hours he finally got up the courage to pick her up and hold her. i heard him from upstairs talking to her - and it actually brought tears to my eyes. to think someday he will be holding our child!!

anyway - are all men like that? how long did it take your hubbies to really get the hang of the baby stuff??

kptoys Posted: Mar 07, 2004 01:21 PM

Re: Mommies - did being a 'Daddy' come naturally to your DH's??

FH took right to it. Yes, he was a little timid about holding her at first but that was about it

michele31 Posted: Mar 07, 2004 02:10 PM

Re: Mommies - did being a 'Daddy' come naturally to your DH's??

Once Scott realized that Molly would not break so easily he loved holding and caring for her

Claud2001 Posted: Mar 07, 2004 02:46 PM

Re: Mommies - did being a 'Daddy' come naturally to your DH's??

I have to say that Jeff was never really timid with Paul - he was so involved, so eager to care for him and so protective of him - even before we took him home! I never expected to say this, but my hubby was truly a natural at everything when it came to Paul's care.

Misha Posted: Mar 07, 2004 02:52 PM

Re: Mommies - did being a 'Daddy' come naturally to your DH's??

My hubby took to fatherhood right away but I knew he would. He is so good with all babies (even strangers') that it was never a concern. Now when people ask if he's a good daddy I almost always jokingly say 'he is a far better father than I am a mother!' But seriously, I could leave Joseph for weeks and know he would have no problems at all. Not that I could ever leave my baby!

IrishTracy Posted: Mar 07, 2004 02:57 PM

Re: Mommies - did being a 'Daddy' come naturally to your DH's??

My husband did. Patrick was the first baby he ever held. Seeing that I had a c-section he got to hold him for about 45 min. He was just captivated by him. He watched me change a diaper once & was a pro before we left the hospital.

anna Posted: Mar 07, 2004 07:21 PM

Re: Mommies - did being a 'Daddy' come naturally to your DH's??

Well I have to say that it DID come naturally to him, although he was always a bit 'afraid' (yes thats a good word ) of teeny tiny newborns. I think its common for men to be nervous around newborns.
Just like Tracy, I also had a c-section and John was in the room with JA, holding him, totally captivated (I like that word Trace ) and just overwhelmed with emotion I dont think anything in the world would have made him drop or break that baby
As far as changing diapers and handling him, I think they ALL surprise us...
When we dated, he'd always say 'NO WAY, no diapers for me' and sure enough, I think its only natural that mommy needs help when she gets home, and daddy changed more diapers than mommy did, did more loads of laundry, more baths, more feedings than I would have EVER anticipated, EVER.

So although it came with the territory and the circumstances, 'it HAD to be done' and daddy was much more able and ready to get things done, he DID surprise me by doing it all so well, so naturally and with such heart and giving it 'his all'...

Now, I can leave him for any amount of time, and not be concerned for one second that he'd skip a meal or a poopy diaper... (or a game or two )

Karen, you WILL be surprised at how, just like us mommies, this new role in life just comes to daddy so 'naturally'...

Stacey1403 Posted: Mar 07, 2004 07:34 PM

Re: Mommies - did being a 'Daddy' come naturally to your DH's??

Steve was a natural also. I too had a c-section so he held him right away also. He was right awy asking the nurses how to change his diaper and how to care for the cord. He held him all the time. As soon as he is home from work he takes him right away!!!

JennRenee Posted: Mar 07, 2004 09:20 PM

Re: Mommies - did being a 'Daddy' come naturally to your DH's??

Patrick took to fatherhood faster and more easily than I took to motherhood. I cried a few times because he was so much BETTER at being a parent than I was.

Luckily, I have closed the gap.

jenny11.9 Posted: Mar 07, 2004 09:38 PM

Re: Mommies - did being a 'Daddy' come naturally to your DH's??

I second what Jenn says! My husband took to it like a fish to water. I definitely had a harder time adjusting. I remember laying in bed crying and saying - 'how will we know what to do with her tomorrow?', and he just said 'we do what we always did...now she's just here to join us'.