Kelly Mager - New Job: Dad: The New Parent Collection, #2

For all the moms that made me realize there needed to be a dad's version of "15 Ways For New Moms To Manage Stress & Stay Sane"!

Foreword

E very relationship we have in our lives is constantly changing and shifting as we encounter new experiences. As we learn and grow, our connections to others, and indeed to our own selves, will evolve and grow as well. Major life events can often cause a disruption in even our most stable relationships. However, navigating these events properly can lead to coming through even stronger.

The birth of a child is definitely among one of the most major, life-changing events someone can experience and it doesnt matter if its their first child, or their fourth, the dynamic is going to change. Not only will there be a shift in the general family dynamic, but each parent will experience their own changes in responsibilities, expectations, and needs. So, how can parents embrace this monumental occasion of bringing a new family member into this world, and still thrive in their personal relationship with one another? Clear communication is the (overly-simplified) answer.

The question remains, however, of how do I ensure Im communicating clearly and effectively with my partner? Luckily you now have access to the answer and it lies in the pages of the book you currently hold in your hands. Kelly Mager has compiled another truly helpful guide to parenting this time with the focus on Dad! Not only does it contain easy to understand and apply tips and strategies to simplify parenting, it also gives excellent insight on how to communicate effectively to ensure both partners are getting what they need.

When the needs of everyone are understood and met, a truly healthy family dynamic is established, and that is when the happiness and fun begin to shine through!

Terri Di Mauro

The RelationChick

Introduction

H i dad! You've probably come across this book because someone in your life cares about you, and they know you care about the new life you will be parenting. That person may be a partner or a friend. And maybe this was meant more as a humorous gift though I hope you'll find it useful as well.

Let's start by talking about the elephant in the room. Why is a woman writing a book about fatherhood? I wrote my first book for moms because I realized how much of the information currently available only talks about funny or entertaining things regarding parenthood. When they happen to mention real problems, they poke fun at them while rarely discussing solutions. Solutions that are dearly needed for ones mental health! A partner's mental and physical well-being makes a world of difference in her ability to handle life as a parent. My first book for mom provides ways to keep her sane.

Upon publishing that first book, the most frequent follow-up question I was asked was "when are you going to write one for dads?" I was surprised by this question because I assumed books geared towards dads would be most relatable coming from a dad. It would have a dads experiences and vantage point. Wouldnt that make the most sense?

Then I read the books out there...and their reviews.

Although full of personal examples about fatherhood, most read like blog entries with stories detailing their own life. Few provided useful information and tactics that could be applied on your own parenthood journey. Additionally, many of the books only cover pregnancy and birth. Rarely was the nitty-gritty of the first few days, weeks, and years included. Those in the business world call this void a market gap.

As a final call to action, I noticed that many books currently on the market do not fully understand the women's thought process on things. They also contain incorrect or outdated information. This book does not focus on things you are better off reading in a product manual such as when a child can be forward-facing in a car seat. I'm also not going to cover developmental milestones stick to a book dedicated to that subject.

What I will walk you through are the easiest and most efficient ways to deal with situations that crop up all the time! Rarely do you read about these subjects. Parents usually only learn about these topics through trial and error. And typically too late in the game for a first child. If siblings join the family later it may get applied, but that assumes you remember!

I don't know why experienced parents don't seem to tell new parents these things but it's time we did!

I'm coming to you as a mom who developed these skills with my first child. They became even more relevant when 22 months later I also became a mom of twins. Yes, that's right. If you did the math, I had more than a year of telling people I had three kids under age 3!

After writing the initial draft of this book, I made sure plenty of fathers who are past the first year took a look at it. I incorporated suggestions and examples to make this a practical and actually useful handbook for fathers!

This book has been divided into two main sections:

• Things dads wished they knew before having kids so they had a plan in place from the start.
• Things they did to make the act of parenting easier.

So now, dad, let's conquer parenthood. We'll walk through ways to stay sane when it feels like you aren't. We'll discuss common concerns and questions new parents must find answers to. And in the process, you will learn to thrive in your new role!

Part I: What To Know Before Baby Arrives

I f baby has already joined your family, read on! This info is still useful and can be implemented starting now.

Knowing about these topics before baby arrives can greatly reduce the stress caused by them. Implementing them after baby arrives allows you to reduce your stress going forward.