The First Year of Fatherhood: One Dad’s Review

Jan 17th, 2010 | By Jason of Kim & Jason | Category: Article, Reviews

Well, we did it. My wife and I made it to the one-year mark. (Oh, and so did Lucy.) The first two weeks seemed like a millennium, the last fifty seemed like a millisecond.

So, what have I learned, if anything?

• It sounds so dang cliché to say, “It’s harder than I imagined, but better than I imagined.” It may be cliche, but is it ever true.

• I’m still trying to figure out what a “normal” schedule should be. I’m never quite sure I’m spending time correctly. I feel like I’m still trying to get in a groove. It seems like I should have it figured out by now. I also get the feeling that “normal” is gone forever.

• I can be with Lucy, OR I can work on something else. Either way I’m a pretty patient person. But trying to do both at once drives me insane and obliterates my patience.

• Baby diapers can really STINK. But I don’t mind changing them as much as I thought I would. I think dirty diapers are overhyped.

• Most of the world is out of whack when it comes to life balance. What most would consider standard operating procedure is way over the edge, if you ask me. I think we all need to slow the hell down for two seconds and stop trying to be and do and have everything.

• We avoided colic but got to experience the worst of teething. Pick your poison, I guess.

• My wife rocks. Holy cow is she a good one. Me and Luce sure are lucky.

• Parenting is impossible without communication.

• So is marriage.

• Being present is hard. Being present takes real work. Being present is the best way to experience life.

• At first babies are kind of boring. But they get better.

• I’m SO glad we didn’t have twins. I’d likely be unable to write this post. Cause I’d be dead.

• I don’t know how the Duggers do it. They must be some kind of crazy.

• The first year is all about change. Nothing stays the same for more than two days.

• Your kid being afraid of strangers and wanting you instead is the reward for all the sleepless nights.

• The first laugh, the first hug, and the first kiss…priceless.

• It’s been a year, and I’m just now STARTING to consider doing this all over again.

Finally, I had my suspicions, but this first year of fatherhood has confirmed one thing for me: Just like life, the first year of parenting is what you make it.

Jason Kotecki is a dad who also moonlights as an artist, author, and professional speaker. Jason and his wife Kim (a former kindergarten teacher) make it their mission in life to fight Adultitis and help people use strategies from childhood to create lives with less stress and more fun. Stop by www.KimandJason.com and follow them on Twitter @kimandjason

Related posts:

  1. A First-Year Father’s 13 Things to Be Thankful For (Podcast) In a few weeks, my daughter Lucy will celebrate her...
  2. Adultitis: Are Kids the Cause or the Cure? (PodCast) Adultitis is a chronic condition that plunders laughter, burns people...
  3. Shots and Superheroes We went to the doctor the other day for my...
  4. Believe It Or Not: A Review of Ripley’s Latest Book I was recently given a review copy of Ripley’s...
  5. The First Rule of Fatherhood: There Are No Rules! Unlike FIGHT CLUB, when it comes to the rules of...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,
  • ultramagnus
    "I’m SO glad we didn’t have twins. I’d likely be unable to write this post. Cause I’d be dead"

    I'm still alive...whew!! My firsts are twin girls who just turned 3. Although my wife had a daughter who was 5 when the twins were born, it was completly different for her than raising one child, and they are my firstborn. Twin adventures...being awake forever because they took turns sleeping...sleeping in different rooms because they took turn sleeping. But you just wake up, do it, enjoy it, and run your own business.

    Now I enjoy life before;
    - first boyfrieds
    - first heart breaks
    - prom
    - Daddy buy me a car...times 3!!!

    I'll post again in 2022 and let you know how it goes, lol
  • Aren't sports metaphors wonderful, especially when directed towards females? I told our babysitter we wanted to pull an "audible" on our plans for Friday and she looked at me like I had six heads....
  • If you called the audible like Peyton Manning, she may have just been thrown off by all the pointing, fidgeting and weird hand signals.
  • I'm going through the first year for the third time although it's the first time with a boy. The interesting thing is there really isn't much difference with the boy. He's 3 1/2 months now and it took me that long to remember that there is a new dynamic family adjustment. Oh yeah and with 3 being present is an entirely different concept. It's amazing though my Mother-in-Law has been a pre-schoool teacher and director for almost 40 years and she has it down pat. Amazing to watch her be present and do 30 things at the same time. She's a little nuts but still amazing.

    Jason, it get better every year even though there are different challenges.
  • So you are definitely outnumbered now, huh? I gotta say I'm a little nervous about evening the sides and downright petrified over getting outnumbered. I've considered spacing the kids ten years apart so each kid can help raise the younger one, thereby blurring the lines between kids and adults. But I also don't want to be changing diapers when I'm 80, so I guess I'll just have to suck it up :)
  • I had a serious discussion with my wife about going from man-on-man to zone but she didn't understand the concept. But two is nice because they entertain each other and as I said 3 is getting easier. My wife says I forced the third one because I wanted to be done before I got any older. She says she may not have decided to have the third if we waited long enough. I just don't believe her.
  • Ooh, a zone defense; I like that. If it works for top college teams, it just might work for us. I'll have to keep that in mind when we get to that point.
  • Great words of wisdom for new dads. :) My little guy just turned 3 months old yesterday, and it blows me away how fast it has gone. Other than the first two weeks. lol It's it's crazy how all those cliche lines suddenly make sense.
  • Three months -- woo hoo! Every day gets better. But yeah, there's no candy-coating those first two weeks. Ick.
  • davidmhuffman
    We're about to complete our 2nd year and this list is still totally relevant ;) I still haven't figured out the balance thing. I'm better at being present though.

    And after 2 years of saying "I'm done...no more children," I think we're going to start trying again soon.

    It's the hardest most rewarding thing ever. And chalk up another cliche for me....

    Thanks for sharing.

    @davemhuffman
  • Looks like we're swimming in cliches, here. I'll add another one: when you have a kid, your life sure changes.

    I'm just glad it changed for the better.
  • Amazing ride isn't it? I have a three year old and a 5 1/2 month old -- both girls -- and that was like a trip down memory lane....I call it the toughest job you'll ever love...

    D
  • "The toughest job you'll ever love." Indeed, Darryl, indeed. Also the lowest paying (although I consider kisses to be priceless.)
  • davidmhuffman
    Ha! Daryl - that's exactly what I tell people.
blog comments powered by Disqus