Going to be a Father

[Threehz]

We just found out last Wednesday. Unexpected, and the timing is not perfect, but we are going to definitely have the baby.

This Fall I'll be transferring from a community college to the local University to finish up my degree. I should have no more than 3 years of school left. Having a kid obviously raises the bar a bit, but I know I can do it and my girlfriend and I both have very supportive families.

Anyhow,

Anyone have any tips? I know you can never be fully prepared, but luckily I've been around babies a lot in the past few years. I have a nephew about to turn 2 and another about to turn 3.

Also would be good if anyone who has done the child-raising while going to school while working ordeal has anything to say.

Personally I know it's going to be hard as hell, but I honestly cannot be happier, I've always wanted to have a kid and I feel all the time, money, and energy I would just be wasting will go to better use by raising a child.

:D

[CrusherCurtis]

Congrats!

[trackjunkie21]

Congrats dude! How old are you if you don't mind me asking? You always came off as a teenager to me, no offense ofcourse.

[Kershaw]

dont shoot it would be my advice.

[herbivor]

Just know the first 3 months absolutely suck. Your women will likely have hormone issues for at least a couple months and you won't get any sleep. Don't feel bad for asking for or accepting help from friends and family. We had a system where I would let the wife sleep uninterrupted as much as possible from 10pm to 2am and me from 2am to 6am. It was the only way to get a few hours of sleep. Good luck. She got her tubes tied after the second. Glad to be done with babies. Now I'm like Clark Griswold trying to take my girls everywhere. It's awesome.

Oh yeah, and don't get rid of the E30 thinking you need something bigger. you don't.

[Threehz]

Thank you guys, and you know it Kershaw. Track, I'm 21 right now, I'll only be 22 when my baby is born.

[Threehz]

Thanks herbivor! The E30 is saying, the S30 is staying, however we're going to get rid of the Tahoe and find a Rav4 (need something manly to drive).

And yeah I'm expecting the next 9 months to be a bit of a mood rollercoaster for her... I've witnessed the first few months after birth a couple times now, kinda sucks cause it will be just as I start my Spring semester but I'm going to bite the bullet and rock out.

I plan on becoming the healthiest I've ever been and staying that way to cope with all the added stress :)

[Farbin Kaiber]

I just gotta say I'm glad I made it to 30 without having children, I don't think I could have done it, I still don't think I could. More power to ya!!!

[Albuquerque30]

Congrats man! My wife and I had our baby girl a week ago today. My situation's different as I was gone through her pregnancy and am still away actually. She's been a trooper for sure, though. Don't be afraid to accept help, and family is the best kind. Haha. Baby shower, baby shower, baby shower. We have a lot of diapers in a lot of different sizes from her shower. Good job on toughing out the school thing too. I'm 21 and starting a new career, so I can understand the stresses you will see. If you need any advice, you can ask me since I have a 9 month jump on you. ;)

[e30e]

Buy diapers and wipes in bulk and ahead of your needs, literally you'll never have enough. Some people want to do the environmental diapers that are cloth and washable but that requires you to wash them; yuck. Baby shit is gross especially after a lot of veggies. So I stuck with huggies or pampers or whatever my babies mama went with.

Sing and dance while she is pregnant and do it while they are a baby; it will help when they are 5 months old and crabby and 1 year old and crabby.

Get multiple car seats, it sucks swapping in cars all the time.

Go volunteer at abused child center, it'll crush your heart to see how much those children want to be loved and it will later help remind you when your child is being a turd that all children just want to be loved and they are lucky to have a loving family.

Went to and graduated from U of A while raising a daughter, it can be done.

[LJ851]

First off, thank you for being a man and being a father and not bailing out. Second , congratulations! I'm still practicing with my girl so i can't offer any real world experience on child raising yet.... I wish the best for your family.

[ForcedFirebird]

Hell yeah! Enjoy the mini-me. Been there 4 times :)

Grats man.

[Jonny Cash]

If i found out my girl was pregnant when i was 21 I woulda been horrified.

i have two now, and had my first at 28 and loving life.

All i can say is... Pray to god your girl isnt a lazy ass.. for your sake. You wont really know until the baby comes.. I got lucky, other friends of mine not so much.

[pureaudio]

Congrats. Whether you planned it or not, you are not prepared for what is about to come. Don't worry, nobody is. The good thing is your life will change so drastically and suddenly, it will seem like that is just the ways things are supposed to be and you just adjust.

I was also in school and working full time when my first son was born, I was 23 so not far off from you. It was hard but school is a priority and I'm sure your girlfriend realizes. It will take sacrifices on both of your parts to finish school with a young family.

Definitely don't be too proud to accept help from family and friends, sometimes you just need a refresh, even if just an hour or two.

Get a sleep schedule going asap after birth. My first son took 6 months to get it all ironed out. So many sleepless nights because we didn't know what to do. My second son was on a schedule 2 days after coming home from the hospital. The second time we were just firm on putting him down before we went to sleep. That gave us 30m to 1hr of baby free time to actually do something for ourselves. My wife would take a long shower and wash her hair, which is kind of a luxury in the early stages.

If you know someone who has 4-5 kids who all grew up to be decent people, put them on speed dial. They have seen everything and know what they are doing. My mother in law raised 3 girls and 2 boys, there is nothing we can throw at her that is a surprise.

[ForcedFirebird]

Pray to god your girl isnt a lazy ass.. for your sake. You wont really know until the baby comes...

I'm 23yrs older than A. 13yrs goes by fast. Lazy....sounds like my ex.

Doesn't matter, I got the kids. Not many guys man up these days.