Who"s Your Daddy? 3 Ways to Help Him Prepare for Being a Father
OK, so men might not have to worry about maternity wear, stretch marks and labour but they also have a lot to think about when their partner is pregnant.
It is an important time for every one to get used to the idea of having a new baby in the family.
There's nine long months to utilise in preparation for the newest member of your family to arrive.
A man has to deal with many new emotional, psychological and physical changes in his life once the baby arrives.
While women might feel a more emotional connection to the impending arrival, a man might feel more heavily the weight of the responsibility in terms of financial and practical matters.
While a woman can feel every movement and connect from the very beginning with her baby, a man can only stand and watch and feel the odd kick.
Having a baby and raising children is a little different for men and women, so while your partner does his best to understand and empathise with you, don't forget to understand him and how the pregnancy and fatherhood will affect him.
Here are three ways that you can help your partner prepare for the biggest change in both your lives.
1) Talk about it Men are not known for their communication skills when it comes to their feelings.
Sometimes it helps to kick off a conversation by talking about your own fears, anxieties and concerns.
Let him know what you're thinking and ask him if he feels the same way? Commiserate and reassure each other, because after all, you're in this together.
Talking your way through the tough times is the best way to retain harmony and prepare for the coming changes.
2) Show him you love him As a woman's body prepares for motherhood, sometimes it means that she feels distanced from her partner, in not only a sexual way but maybe even in an emotional way.
It is such a big mental thing to prepare for that sometimes we get lost inside our own heads.
Show him that you still love him by sitting close on the couch at night together.
Put a loving hand on his shoulder or back from time to time.
Scratch his back and give him plenty of kisses to reassure your partner that you know he is still there.
Relationships are tested when a baby arrives and the physical side of things can often be the first thing to go.
So even if the intimacy has lulled for a while, try and remember to show you love him with warm, tactile affection.
3) Practical matters Sometimes a man can feel a little left out when a baby is on the way.
The mum-to-be gets to experience everything and the partner can feel a little detached from the excitement.
A good way to help your partner feel included in the whole process is to let him prepare the finances for when you're unable to work.
Let him assemble cots and change tables, let him help you carry things and move furniture.
Let him know you feel safe and secure and well looked after and that his contribution is valuable to the family.
He might not be able to wear maternity dresses or breastfeed, but your partner will also need to prepare to become one half of a parenting team that will love and care for your new baby.
It is an important time for every one to get used to the idea of having a new baby in the family.
There's nine long months to utilise in preparation for the newest member of your family to arrive.
A man has to deal with many new emotional, psychological and physical changes in his life once the baby arrives.
While women might feel a more emotional connection to the impending arrival, a man might feel more heavily the weight of the responsibility in terms of financial and practical matters.
While a woman can feel every movement and connect from the very beginning with her baby, a man can only stand and watch and feel the odd kick.
Having a baby and raising children is a little different for men and women, so while your partner does his best to understand and empathise with you, don't forget to understand him and how the pregnancy and fatherhood will affect him.
Here are three ways that you can help your partner prepare for the biggest change in both your lives.
1) Talk about it Men are not known for their communication skills when it comes to their feelings.
Sometimes it helps to kick off a conversation by talking about your own fears, anxieties and concerns.
Let him know what you're thinking and ask him if he feels the same way? Commiserate and reassure each other, because after all, you're in this together.
Talking your way through the tough times is the best way to retain harmony and prepare for the coming changes.
2) Show him you love him As a woman's body prepares for motherhood, sometimes it means that she feels distanced from her partner, in not only a sexual way but maybe even in an emotional way.
It is such a big mental thing to prepare for that sometimes we get lost inside our own heads.
Show him that you still love him by sitting close on the couch at night together.
Put a loving hand on his shoulder or back from time to time.
Scratch his back and give him plenty of kisses to reassure your partner that you know he is still there.
Relationships are tested when a baby arrives and the physical side of things can often be the first thing to go.
So even if the intimacy has lulled for a while, try and remember to show you love him with warm, tactile affection.
3) Practical matters Sometimes a man can feel a little left out when a baby is on the way.
The mum-to-be gets to experience everything and the partner can feel a little detached from the excitement.
A good way to help your partner feel included in the whole process is to let him prepare the finances for when you're unable to work.
Let him assemble cots and change tables, let him help you carry things and move furniture.
Let him know you feel safe and secure and well looked after and that his contribution is valuable to the family.
He might not be able to wear maternity dresses or breastfeed, but your partner will also need to prepare to become one half of a parenting team that will love and care for your new baby.