This time feels different. We’re going to have four kids – yikes! How will they get all the attention and care they need? How will we carve out time for ourselves? I feel a little like cat hanging from a tree branch – it’s a bit of an Oh Shit! moment.
I am feeling nervous before birth – for the first time. During the last three pregnancies I was pretty chill about things, with a We’re having (another) baby? Cool! attitude. But this time I’m surprised to feel nervous. I suppose it’s the number of children and knowing how things change once a baby is part of our lives. The first was the biggest adjustment, the second was realizing we couldn’t trade-off on child duty anymore while the third felt pretty normal since we were already used to spending/doing lots with the other two.
Our next baby has me nervous – and I totally understand what nervous first-time fathers-to-be feel.
I can make myself feel less nervous by thinking logically:
- I’m not the first to feel this way – other dads have felt the same and gone on to enjoy fatherhood and become great dads.
- We’re not the first to have a large family – others have survived and thrived.
- I have to prepare and try my best, because my children deserve nothing less.
