In a particularly frustrating moment, I threw caution to the wind and wrote about my struggles as a father: #304937. I didn’t expect many Stackers to read it actually, so I was floored and bowled over by the outpouring of good advice, support and encouragement. Even the more critical ones were written with compassion and well wishes. I can’t exactly explain why, but my heart feels so much lighter this week.
I digested every comment and pondered it over and over again. Thank you for sharing a piece of your heart.
Tips to Cope with Parenthood
- Talk to a counsellor
- Talk to older fathers who have experience you don’t have yet
- Have a heart-to-heart talk with your wife, even if the conversation is going to be difficult
- Break the mundane routine. Embark on adventures with your children.
- Get a baby sitter and take an hour or 2 with your wife
- Collaborate with other parents to take turns to look after each other’s children. Schedule play dates
- Spend less time on social media and focus on being present for your kids
- Wake up earlier than the rest of the household and do something that fills your cup
- Reset your priorities and cut out the things you used to love doing but aren’t the best use of your time.
- Think about the alternative. Do you really want to usher in old age, having focused on your career but still unceremoniously disposed of by the workplace because you are increasingly seen as irrelevant?
- Read to make your mind feel relaxed.
- Similarly, instil a love of reading in your child so that he will want to read non-stop (and give you some space in the process).
- Trust that there is light at the end of the tunnel. Remember the Stoic philosophy - (“the obstacle is the way”).
- Hang in there. Hang in there. Hang in there.
And yes, I will schedule a counselling session soon. Many thanks.