Parenthood Here We Come!

I thought I'd take a quick opportunity to take a step back and clarify a few things about my reason for writing the blog. My purpose is not to infuriate anyone or to place blame on anyone or "females" for that matter, and least of all I'm not in any way intending to slander my wife. On the contrary, my whole intent is to share true feelings (just writing that word is tough for me) that so many people keep bottled up and/or that can help shed light on what men experience throughout the pregnancy and childbirth process.

What could be better but a great family set against the backdrop
of the Rocky Mountains!

As I shared multiple times in the pregnancy writings, before that first child, both men and women are looking at a complete life change. I think because women are carrying the child, they become more easily attached to this new reality. However, we men don't have that connection, so it's hard for us to feel that emotional attachment. Likewise, we so often see women receiving comfort and support from other women, and often times there's a void for us. Furthermore, as I've noted previously, most literature and information about pregnancy is either about preparing to be a parent, or is focused on women. Whether or not we admit, which I rarely do, men need support and like to know that we're not the only ones experiencing the angst, loss of self, etc. that surrounds the coming of a new child.

 

At the same time, once that child is born, we often times feel lost. We maybe haven't read all the literature that our wives have, or maybe we thought that magically out of the womb would pop the future Heisman Award winner or the future President (I wouldn't wish that on anyone); what comes out is God's beautiful creation, but it's foreign to us.

 

So before I continue forward, moving toward discussing what it's like to actually be a parent, please take everything I say with a grain of salt. I'm not the perfect parent (well, at least today I wasn't), so not everything I write is true or is what you feel or have experienced, but I know that I'm not alone. Women, please realize that men don't think like you (I hope you've realized this or life is going to be difficult for you), and, Men, please know that even if you agree with what I say, don't always say so out loud to your wife!

 

Finally, while much of what I write is laced with sarcasm and friendly banter, I do believe in most of what I write. As we move now to talking about being a parent, please feel free to add comments and extra dialogue. Those words will help people see different perspectives of parenthood that can be very helpful. Likewise, feel free to share the blog with your friends, husbands, and family. Thank you for your support, and above all when all else fails with raising a family, Christ is always there for us to lean on.

 

Financial Tip of the Day:

Learn to be content with what you have. It's that selfishness, greed, and envy that most often sends us into difficult financial situations.