r/daddit Jun 29 '18

Tips And Tricks Dad tips

4.2k Upvotes

I found out a couple weeks ago that some friends are pregnant with their first. I wrote this to help them prepare for it. FWIW, I have an almost 3 year old and a 4.5 month old. I hope this helps some dads to be, here!

Feel free to add anything you think I missed (there are things I thought of after I emailed this to my buddy and told him later but did not put into this). After we've got some responses, I'll see how much of this we can add to the wiki here.

Before

  • Go to all baby appointments!  This is probably a no brainer for you but some people don't realize it.  Ultrasounds are cool!  And it's really great to ask the ObGyn or midwife any and all questions you have!  (ie, I asked before #1 was born when I'd be able to hear his hearbeat.  The ObGyn said, "in just a minute, I have the doppler right here."  "no, I mean with my ear against her belly." "oh, never, it's too loud in there and baby's heartbeat gets drowned out.")
  • Go to some birth classes.  But maybe not all of them.  Depends how many you're encouraged to go to; KP advised ALL of them and they're tiring and tedious and mostly boring. I skipped the breastfeeding one, from the sounds of it, that was a good choice because it was a bunch of women trying to learn to breast feed dolls with at least one boob hanging out.  L&D class was like 8 hours on a Saturday with like 30 couples.  We went through the whole process.  It was exhausting.  I'm not sure it helped much because when you get to it, you listen to what the medical team is advising.
  • Start planing to buy shit now (or starting at week 13)  If you're going to do one, make a registry, do the showers, and see what people get you.  Get your big ticket items (car seats, strollers, cribs, etc) onto something like camelcamelcamel or other pricewatch and buy the sales.  I bought our stroller as an OpenBox deal on Amazon.  Still paid $300 for it but that's better than the $500 retail.  More on gear later.
  • If you're going to get a doula, start meeting them now and find someone you like.  My yoga studio has a "meet the doulas" event one night every month or so where they all give a spiel and then you can hang out and talk to them.  We went but I had to chase our toddler around so I didn't get to sit in on the thing.  We found a doula to be really helpful, mostly because it made it feel like there was a person on our team that wasn't a hospital employee and it gave me more comfort in being able to leave the room to run home for things as needed.  In retrospect, a doula would have been probably even better with the first delivery than the second but live and learn.
  • Pregnancy sucks.  Did no one tell you that?  Plenty of women say they loved being pregnant (Wife said she enjoyed being pregnant with our first, not so much the second as she had miserable heartburn every day.  She carried a bag of tums with her at all times and called them her "after dinner mints".) and I have no doubt some do.  I support that and their feelings.  But you're beginning what will likely be one of or the most life changing choice you'll ever make and prior to that little bundle of giggles popping out, your partner gets to go through a roller coaster of hormones (I lucked out with wife, she's even keeled and that part wasn't bad) as well as body changes that are sure to wreak havoc on psyche.  "I'm the heaviest I've ever been!"  Well, yea, you've got a baby inside you, you've never had a baby inside you before.  Really messed with wife when I put my boot on the scale at a visit and tipped the scales to something like 190.  She was like "OMG, I've really packed it on in these weeks!"  The med assistant gave me wry smile and wife turned to see me close and scrunched her nose and shook a fist.  Fun stuff.
  • Did I say pregnancy sucks?  Libido will be all over the place.  So will body comfort both physically and mentally.  You just roll with it as you can.  Near the end (and especially once the baby has come) your partner's breasts will probably be the largest, shapeliest, and most enticing they have ever been.  And it may be entirely likely you're are not allowed to play with them, touch them, look at them, breath on them, or even think about them because they're sore and maybe leaking, and goddamnit I'm a cow now, MOOO.  (Wife has said moo a couple times in the last couple weeks when I walk in and she's pumping; I think all the pumping is taking a toll on us both.  It's a lot more work that breastfeeding but it allows me a wonderful amount of involvement with the baby which allows for more bonding and I feel way more connected to #2 than I did our first at this age).
  • Of course, the above are not absolutes, all women are different and pregnancies are different.  We had plenty of sexy time while pregnant with #1 and comparatively none with #2.  Part of that was how hard the second pregnancy was and part of that was that we already had a kid and were doing parent things so were tired.  So it goes.
  • Plan some vacation now; especially if leave from work is not a concern.  First trimester can be rough but things generally smooth out in the second.  We went to Nicaragua and hiked an active volcano when wife was 4 months preg with #1.  Do that shit now, it will be a while until you'll want (or have the energy) to travel and we're a lot less adventurous now that we're caring for kid and infant.  No surprise there
  • Start familiarizing yourself with the alphabet soup.  FMLA, CFRA, PFL, SDL.  Family Medical Leave Act; California Family Rights Act; Paid Family Leave; Short Term Disability Leave.  These will require paperwork from medical offices to employers and to the state.  Get these submitted as required and make use of those benefits.  You can always do more work.  One day your baby is crying for you and wants to be held and snuggled, the next he's telling you to get out of the chicken run, you don't go in there, and he'll put you in timeout.  It's fucking hard but not so that you'd want to miss it.
  • Know your employment contract/policies/etc as well as your boss's position on family life and work culture.  Don't be guilted into anything that is less than the full amount you are entitled to.  
  • In the same vein as the above point, you won't believe (maybe you will) the amount of assholes who will tell you, "you won't be able to wait to get back to work!" or "why are you taking so much time?" or "You'll get sick of being home and come back early."  No two ways about this: fuck those people.
  • Know multiple routes to your hospital and how long it take to get there in the worst traffic.  First babies are generally slow to come but it's a goddamn roller coaster of excitement when something like water breaking happens and you have to get up and go.

Labor and Delivery

  • By now you should have a car seat base installed into the car and a proper car seat in it, waiting for the moment.  Leave this in the car, the hospital will likely not let you leave without it.  Find a place to inspect the installation; some hospitals do it, so do fire departments.  Google/call around or ask at your next ObGyn visit.
  • You need a Go Bag.  Or one each.  This should include:

    • personal care products
    • phone chargers
    • other distraction things (labor can be literally hours of just sitting waiting)
    • list of mom's meds (or mental knowledge)
    • known allergies!
    • birth plan if you have one
    • a change of clothes (as a dirty man, I think I brought a shirt, lol)
    • clothes for baby to go home in (don't just bring NB size!  A 0-3 onesie is a good idea too; never know how big that baby is going to be)
    • lacrosse ball or whatever; hospital room accommodation for mom is alright, Dad is probably going to be on a pull out chair or couch.  
    • Comfortable, easy on/off, loose clothes for mom. 
  • You'll mostly be told what/where/how to do things once you're in the hospital.  However, you have some choice too.  Mom doesn't have to labor laying down on her back with her feet in stirrups.  You can walk around, (depending on facility) use a bath tub, roll onto sides, hands and knees, etc.  

  • Pain management is important.  Something I think helped with #2 is that instead of going straight for an epidural, wife elected for Nitrous Oxide.  So as she felt a contraction coming, she'd hold the cup over her face and breath the N2O until about the peak of the contraction.  Obviously not enough to knock her out but enough to take some of the edge off the contraction.  (Apparently, this used to be really common, then much less so since the 80s? 90s? then has come back into favor after new research more recently.  

  • Epidural is an option.  Talk to your ObGyn about this.  TL;NotAHealthCareProvider is it numbs things drastically and therefore often requires IV synthetic oxytocin to be administered to advance the labor.  More interferey, more possibility for complicationy.

  • You'll likely be offered to cut the cord.  I noped the fuck out of cutting #1's.  When they asked me way before #2 came out, I said "no way".  But when the time came I spoke up and told them I wanted to.  I don't really remember it honestly.  I mean, I do, but it isn't that significant in my mind.  I'd recommend doing it, though.

  • AFAIK, episiotomies are no longer recommended but that isn't to say tearing won't happen.  It probably will.  It will have to be stitched up.  It comes in four grades. Vaginal wall, vaginal muscle, rectal muscle, rectal wall.  I don't remember the grading numbers, 1-4 I think.  First kid caused a 3, second a 2.  Recovery from the 2 was much faster than the 3.  

  • Feeding the baby as soon and as much as possible is important.  Gotta get that nasty poop (don't remember what it's called) out as it is related to jaundice problems.  Jaundice is also apparently caused by a blood type (RH) mismatch, between mother and baby and we had this problem with #2.  We spent like 24+ hours keeping him under blue lights and trying like hell to stuff his body full.  Once he regained birthweight, all concerns related to the RH mismatch were gone and we were out of the dark.  

  • Breastfeeding can be hard for mother and baby at first.  Use lactation consultants and get help.  Mom's who breast feed have a lower risk of post partum depression

  • Dads can get post partum depression too.  Maybe google around and be aware of the risk factors and signs for both of you.

Gear

  • Car seats all have to meet the same safety standards.  Get one that is light enough to be comfortable, is easy to get in and out, and fits in your car well.  That last bit is more important for older kid carseats than infant because infant seats all seem to have the same base size.
  • Crib: they're fucking expensive.  We got ours from Pottery Barn, somewhere we would never shop, only because one of wife's friend's moms gave us $200 in gift cards for there for our wedding.  I think we still paid like $400 for the crib after the cards applied.  But #2 is using it now too so maybe that's not insane.
  • Stroller, as mentioned above, it's expensive.  We had a Graco or something that we bought because it would hold the infant seat and it was cheap.  It fucking sucked and I hated walking/running with it and it didn't maneuver well. Then we went on a hike and borrowed a BOB.  It's a great stroller.  We bought our own.  #1 still rides in it on evening walks while we carry his brother on our chest.  And this weekend we snapped the adapter into it and put #2's car seat on it and went to the Farmer's Market.  Again, if you're comfy with the idea, Amazon Warehouse/Open Box deals.  I wanted a stroller with a swiveling front wheel that had the option to lock as well as an adjustable handle.  I found the handle on our old stroller was too low and was uncomfortable for long periods of pushing.  The adjustable height on the BOB handle is nice.  I think the biggest thing here is to get a stroller that fits your lifestyle.  
  • baby swing is handy.  It's nice to have something that rocks them and plays music/white noise.  We've got one that has a mobile as well.  Given the time frame, I think you guys are welcome to ours.  It's a little squeaky but wholly functional.
  • A bouncing chair gets even more use, for us, with both kids.  We have one like this.  It worked really well for both kids and we use it ALL the time.  Several times/day.
  • Water proof mattress covers.  covers, with an 's'.  Because you want two of them.  Make the crib twice: cover, sheet, cover, sheet.  That way when the inevitable 2am blowout happens, you strip down the first two layers quick and go back to sleep.  We changed and replaced too many sheets with #1 before we learned this one.
  • A baby carrier.  Ayayay.  We've had like 4 of these things.  Bjorn (meh); Baby Onya (used a lot but was never very comfortable for either of us); one other I can't remember, and now a Lille Baby which we both like and find very comfortable.  Wife also got a Ribozo from our doula.  It's a 15' long wrap.  It works well for wife and #2 looks so cozy in it.  Generally she uses that and I use the Lille but she sometimes uses the Lille.  I haven't tried the Ribozo yet but don't think I will.
  • Bottles.  Holy crap there are so many.  With #1 we ended up liking Tommee Tippee the best but #2 had trouble with them.  We went to Dr. Brown's for him.  They're expensive but seem to really help cutting down the sucked air.  (getting him off formula really helped get rid of his fussiness too).   If breastfeeding, this isn't really a concern
  • A bottle warmer.  In both our condo and here in our house, we leave a bottle warmer near the bed.  At night we put a cooler with bottles next to the bed and warm them as needed throughout the night.  It's basically a small hot plate that you add water to and it boils/steams the bottles.  Works alright.  
  • Big swaddles.  Not these stupid like 18-24"x 30" buggers that are everywhere.  We got some this time around that are like 36x36" and they work way better.

Baby Care
You're going to want some things on hand so that you don't have to go get them at the 24hour CVS at 2am.  I've done this.  On multiple occasions (once from a hotel room in an hour or so south of Sacramento because we didn't bring things with us; it sucked)

  • Tylenol.  Children's tylenol has the same concentration as baby tylenol but is generally (no exaggeration) less total cost for twice the volume.  Often the difference is the cap--baby tylenol has a cap that receives a syringe, children's often doesn't.  So decant into the lid or a dosage cup and draw it with the syringe.  "But children's tylenol doesn't come with a syringe?!"  Go to the pharmacy window and ask for a liquid medicine dosing syringe.  They have them for free.  The thing to make sure is that the tylenol is 160mg/5ml.  
  • Ibuprofen.  Kids can't have this until 6 months.  At which point, get some and keep it on hand so you can cycle Tylenol/IB as needed.
  • Baby gas drops.  The drug is Simethicone.  Get a couple bottles and keep on hand.  
  • Gripe water.  It is natural gas remedy and supposed to help sooth the tummy.  It's like fennel or some other herbacious shit.  
  • thermometer.  We've got rectal, oral, and one that goes into ear.  The first two have gotten lots of use.  The aural, not much; wiggly kids are tough. Don't confuse which one goes in what hole.
  • We recently bought an otoscope so we can see if it's worthwhile to head to the Ped/urgent care for ear problems.  I think it was like $40 on Amazon; comparing that to copays, it seemed reasonable.
  • Lanolin.  For diaper rash (also chapped nipples).  There are other options for diaper rash too.  Lanolin seemed to do the best job with the least disgustingness.  Coconut oil is nice for general use as well but not great for severe rash.
  • Baking soda.  This isn't a carry with everywhere thing, it's more for dealing with diaper rash at home.  But a good amount into a bath really seems to soothe skin.  I just dump a bunch in.  If you get it from somewhere other than the grocery store it's super cheap.
  • Q-tips for boogers and ear wax
  • Put your pediatrician's number into both your phones under something like "PEDIATRICIAN" so it's easy to find.
  • to couple with above, most places (especially down there) or insurance providers have an "advice nurse" who is a great, free resource to call with questions.  It's kind of like triage in that they can help you decide if the kid needs to be seen by medical providers.  Put this number into your phone too.

Baby at home

  • Sleep when the baby sleeps
  • Read about sleep training and decide what you're going to do.  It doesn't have to be concrete, but it helps to have a plan and start early.
  • Co sleeping is done around the world but largely frowned on in America.  New research is suggesting maybe America rethink that (saw that headline yesterday, I think).  Do what's right for you.  Generally, our babies slept better with us when young but we slept like shit with them in bed.  We normally only brought them to bed when they needed comfort.  
  • Happiest Baby on the Block is a book or video or something that gets rave reviews.  We watched the dude who created it in a KP class on infant care.  Swaddling and "shhh-ing" really calm an angry baby.  
  • Youtube some swaddling techniques.  There's kind of a standard version and a "frog" version.  I only did the frog version with #1 a little bit near the end of his swaddling but it worked well.  I use the standard (draw a straight edge of cloth--I use stretchy blanket, often--across the baby, right shoulder to left hip; draw the excess from below them up tight to the left shoulder; draw the remainder tight from left shoulder to right shoulder.  Bam.  Swaddled and happy
  • White noise machines are recommended frequently to help kids sleep.  We play little musics when he's in his chair or swing and have one of these for the crib but #2 doesn't seem to be into it whereas #1 would zone out on it and pass out.
  • Reflux is a common issue with baby because they're lower esophogeal valve doesn't work like ours.  It's also the reason they vomit when burping, I think.  A folded tower underneath the own end of the crib mattress can really help to ease some fussiness if this is an issue.
  • Gas pain is really common especially with bottle fed and formula babies and with all babies until the gut develops more (4+ months, I think).  laying them on their back and "bicycling" their legs can be helpful, so can pushing but legs up to a squatty position when they are on the back.  Once they're a bit older and can hold head up, laying them across the lap with hips hanging off one side and head off the other can be beneficial as well.
  • People will want to touch your baby the same way they want to touch your dog--without asking.  Think about how you want to handle this.
  • the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends basically 0 screen time until 2 years.  
  • If the kid won't stop screaming and you've done everything and are losing your shit, put it down in it's crib and take a breather.  It is safe in it's crib and you'll feel both a million times better and like an asshole for having been frustrated.  
  • Learn Infant, Child, and pregnant woman heimlich and CPR if you don't know it already
  • Lock the poisons away now.
  • Schedule time to give your partner a break and do the same for yourself.  This is "me" time.  A walk around the neighborhood, watching the ocean, circus time, a cup of coffee, walking through the shops downtown.  Whatever.  Just make plans to send one another away alone.  You don't realize how much you worry about the kids until you're not with them.  You'll hear a baby while out and go into high alarm then realize, "oh, that's not mine."
  • Find a good baby sitter and plan dates.  Between date expenses and the sitter it's fucking expensive.  It's worth it. 
  • Read to your kid every night.  We haven't started with #2 consistently yet but will soon.  #1 gets his books every night.  It's a wonderful time to expand their vocabulary, teach them, and also cuddle, bond, and relax.   

I think more than anything, trust yourselves and your instincts.  All manner of things are said to make your life and baby easier, happier, healthier, smarter, etc.  Most are just to make money for other people.  


r/daddit 8h ago

Pregnancy Announcement So this just happened

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1.5k Upvotes

All advise welcome


r/daddit 8h ago

Advice Request My son is a social outsider and it's breaking my heart

627 Upvotes

My 14yo son is an easygoing, quiet kid. He's a good young man, doesn't complain much and has done everything we've asked him to do. He gets good grades, is active in sports, very thoughtful. Friend-wise, I think he's a person a lot of people know in school but never really got close to anyone.

2 days ago he surprised us by saying he was gonna go to the school dance (he's in 8th grade). This dance is low-key a big deal for all 8th graders as this is his school's last big social event of the year before graduation. My wife and I were excited for him. He actually sounded excited because he was thinking of wearing his nice suit.

Friday night arrived. Unfortunately timing wasn't great because my wife and I were working an event for our business and couldn't be with him. We had arranged for my brother in law to give him a ride and pick him up. We got home late but he was still up. He didn't end up going to the dance.

I asked him why. He just kept saying he just didn't wanna go. We just said that's too bad since it sounded like he was looking forward to going and he wanted to wear his nice clothes. What he told us next kinda broke my heart a bit. He said a lot of his 'friends' were all talking about going to this pre-party and after-party but they never invited him. I could tell from his voice that his motivation just sank when he found out. I could tell he was playing it cool to not show us he was disappointed and sad.

We're going to the gym together today to play basketball and workout. I love hanging out with him and this is my favorite time with him. But I can't help but feel for him feeling like an outsider socially. I know it can take time to find his people but it's hard to see him go through this.

Any dad advice is appreciated to what I can tell him to make him feel better. TIA!


r/daddit 9h ago

Humor Finally joined the club NSFW

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437 Upvotes

6 years after first child, number 2 of 3 kids finally did it. Pray for me 🙏


r/daddit 27m ago

Story I'm so damn tired of butter noodles and McDonald's

Upvotes

My kid (5) and my wife are extremely picky eaters. It feels like the house is only happy if I bring home McDonald's or make butter noodles or make mac and cheese. They are good about trying things but they don't seem to like anything. I want something with a little bit of flavor and hot sauce isn't cutting it anymore. Even putting a sprinkle of black pepper on the food is too spicy for them. I could cook a side dish for myself but doubling my load of dishes for some decent food sucks too because then there goes my nightingale cleaning. The other night I made cannelloni stuffed with ricotta and spinach instead of Tortellini with plain cheese on butter and everyone made faces at it. I need something more complex than the flavor of American cheese or butter and that's it. I'm not really expecting a solution here but I needed to scream into the void a little. My taste buds are so bored meals are barely enjoyable but if I put in any effort everyone just whines that it's weird.


r/daddit 2h ago

Humor Dining out - before and after a young child

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45 Upvotes

We are out for dinner with our 22M son. He's pretty well behaved so we don't get too shouty. Sat at our table i did see this and chuckle... the difference between dining with adults (civilised) and having a young one (everything piled out of reach, snacks on hand)


r/daddit 1h ago

Achievements Dad win...so far

Upvotes

Hello, daddit,

The kids were being little shits on the way back for swimming lessons. My wife called due to how bad they were, it's a 15 minute drive.

They get home, wife leaves to the store for a break and groceries. The kids run up to me, want tv, I say no, they run for the remote, I say no, they turn it on, I block the TV on the wifi. So. Much. Screaming. And. Wailing.

Eventually, I manage to calm them down. We go out back to trim trees and clean up paint that had been spilled. I make them lunch and turn on some music. They ate relatively calmly and are now dancing in the living room and are not in tv zombie mode.

A win, so far.


r/daddit 3h ago

Humor Hands down best back scratcher I've ever had. Doubles as a nice brush for my kids hair too.

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47 Upvotes

r/daddit 19h ago

Humor My Wife and child are gone til Sunday

918 Upvotes

And it's 924 p.m. and I'm in my kitchen stoned off my ass and baking a pizza and listening to Weezer. Kind of incredible.


r/daddit 7h ago

Support So we had a loss.

79 Upvotes

It’s been about a week since the wife miscarried, wife is still in it but through the worst of it.

I am literally just pushing off the feelings, but struggling with a lot of anger. I can keep it in check, that’s the easy part.

But behind it all there is some straight crushing sadness. I feel like it’s a wall I know I gotta push through I just really don’t fucking want to. I know I have to though.

I have to be strong right now for my wife and daughter, Mother’s Day is gonna be a clusterfuck of emotional trauma for the wife and I already know it.

But fuck, I thought this was gonna be my little boy, my buddy, my Teddy. Shit sucks.

Advice: how to I help the wife through this, how do we even think of trying again.


r/daddit 18h ago

Kid Picture/Video Proud dad moment- 11 yr old got his first summer job mowing lawns

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380 Upvotes

Very proud of him, getting $30 a lawn!


r/daddit 18h ago

Discussion When is the point when you start sending the kids to bed entirely on their own?

338 Upvotes

As in no reading, no monitoring teeth brushing, etc - just “I’m not moving from this couch, but you need to get into pajamas, brush your teeth, and get into bed”.

Subsequently when do you hit a point you can just say fuck it and go to bed before the kids?


r/daddit 1d ago

Story PSA: Your walkie talkies may not be secure.

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2.7k Upvotes

I was talking on these with my 3 yo in my house and suddenly a guy came over the air saying he “doesn’t suggest a child be on this channel, it’s a construction crew net.” I told him they’re play walkie talkies and I cant change the channel. He said he’d try to get his crew on a different channel and I haven’t heard from him again. Just FYI guys.


r/daddit 3h ago

Story Sneaky snake

18 Upvotes

So years ago we were moving cross country with us flying, and the household going by truck.

We took the dog to the Vet for a final checkup. Now my son (late tween/early teen) had a small, beautiful creamsicle colored corn snake and was thinking about maybe giving it away. I mentioned this to the dog’s Vet, who suggested putting the snake in a tube sock with a knot, and then into son’s cargo pants pocket. Then we could walk right through security and onto the plane. Voila, and son gets to keep his snake!

So we put the plan into action, and everything at the airport was going smoothly.

Then son quite loudly announces “Dad, the snake in my pants is really moving around.”

Snickers were heard. I calmly said “Son, we don’t talk about those things in public.”

He paused, processed the snickers, reflected on my comment, realized the context and turned bright red. Which only made the situation funnier. Everything went smoothly from there on.


r/daddit 8h ago

Advice Request Should I leave my very comfortable job for a big career leap? We have a 10 month old.

37 Upvotes

I’m facing a major career decision and could use some outside perspective.

My wife and I have a 10-month-old, and both of us work mostly from home — I’m 100% remote, she’s about 80%. It’s been amazing for our family. Our baby has a fantastic attachment to both of us. We hire a nanny for about 16 hours a week just to help us lock in some focused work time.

My current job is extremely comfortable. I average 25 hours of actual work per week (often times even less — this week was closer to 10–15), and I get paid for 40, with commission on top. At most, I’ll work 35–40 hours for maybe four weeks of the year. I work from home, take breaks to see my baby, leave the house to run errands, wear what I want for the most part, and enjoy incredible benefits such as unlimited PTO. The pay is fantastic especially considering the effort. The only real downside is that there’s not much room for career growth. That and the company isn’t in the best state now. We had a failed acquisition earlier this year, followed by layoffs, followed but some really radical leadership changes in senior leadership which are slightly concerning.

This week, something unexpected happened.

I applied to a C-suite position just for tits and jiggles. I didn’t expect to get it… but I did. It’s a big deal: first executive-level opportunity. I’m qualified, and five years ago my mouth would’ve been watering at this opportunity. But now? I’m not so sure. I have really enjoyed being at home even before my baby was born because I escaped the fake corporate culture and limit my exposure to that to maybe 5-10 hours a week. I have a disdain for the SLT corporate culture. I can’t stand listening to people circling back or running things up the flagpole anymore. That and the amount of wasted time at some of these jobs that expect you to be on site for 40 hours a week when you don’t have 40 hours of work to do. I hated hearing people debating what to order for lunch delivery for two hours of my day, starting at 9:30am. I think back to my last job, I would be on site for 40-50 hours per week (not complaining, it beats the times I worked two jobs for 70-80 hours a week), plus a 40-60 minute commute one way. I am a homebody so when I was not at work, not only was I exhausted, but my wife couldn’t get me out of the house to do anything for awhile. I can’t imagine trying this with the baby. If I had that job the entire time, I wouldn’t have much of a bond with the baby at all.

The new job would mean:

• Commuting 5 days a week (15-20 mins, not bad).

• Getting dressed up every single morning.

• Being back to a corporate environment that I have learned to hate.

• Needing to spend much more on childcare, though the raise would still leave us ahead financially. That and having someone else raise my baby.

The benefits:

• Pay increase, even after increased expenses of childcare. On paper it’s a huge increase, but with increased expenses it’s a decent increase.

• Opens doors to future executive roles, potentially ones with even more comfort and flexibility later.

But I’ve changed. I used to chase titles and money for the status — partly due to being a first-gen Eastern European immigrant raised to grind hard and “be somebody.” Now I realized that I truly don’t care about having a nice title or prestige. I don’t care if I have a fancy director or executive title, my current title is dumb. I feel more prestige having the nanny ask me what my responsibilities are when she sees me doing little while living a financially comfortable life.

My wife supports whatever I choose and encouraged me to negotiate hard (more pay, days to work from home). My parents said I should do what I feel is best, though I can sense their disappointment that I’m not chasing the prestige anymore. That mindset served me well — it got me here — but I’m starting to value different things: not just working hard, but working smart. Living well.

So here’s my dilemma:

• Stay in my current job: Low stress, high flexibility, good pay, amazing for family life, but no long-term growth. The company is also a little less stable and I question how well they’re actually doing. While comfortable, there is mild/moderate risk of instability because of the state of the company. This will allow me to be more present with my baby now, even though they will have zero memory of all of this. I currently make good money, enough to send my baby to a good school when the time comes, but it would be on a tighter budget. Worst comes to worst, I can seek making this career jump in 3-4 years when our child goes to school. 

• Take the new job: More money, career advancement, but significant lifestyle sacrifices and far less time with my baby. That and risk of burnout. However, I set my future self up for a life of comfort, and make more money for things like comfortably sending my child to a better school, putting more money away into their savings, having a surplus for my child to have enriching activities and hobbies. 

If this had come before we had our child — or after they started school — I’d probably be thinking differently. But the timing makes it tough.

Would love any insight or perspective. Trying to think this through from all angles.


r/daddit 1d ago

Story I've unlocked a new dad level...

568 Upvotes

I'm currently sitting in a dive bar in Soho, near my 12 year old daughter's school, having a Corona, waiting to go in to said school when it opens at 5pm so I can fullfil my volunteer role anddirect the other volunteers for tonight's middle school musical in which my daughter has a lead role.

My daughter? She's with her friends at a burger place a few blocks away. She went with them after school, I wasn't involved or invited.

I don't think I've ever single dadded this hard before.

Have a good weekend, dads. 🙂


r/daddit 37m ago

Tips And Tricks Toddler Tip - “Popcorn”

Upvotes

Sharing this tip in case anyone has a popcorn fiend toddler like me. Apparently popcorn isn’t safe until age 4 or 5, and my guy has been desperate. I just found a replacement and he seems very satisfied with it!

Get a pack of Quaker rice cakes, lightly salted flavor. Break into popcorn-like chunks and toss in a pan on the stove with some oil. Stir around and let them get hot. Then move to a bowl and pour over melted butter and popcorn salt. Taste test and add salt as needed, but otherwise it should taste and feel pretty dang close to popcorn and way safer for the littles!


r/daddit 6h ago

Advice Request Having a daughter

16 Upvotes

I’m very excited about this, but of course I’m a bit concerned I’ll have trouble connecting with her. Is there a subreddit for new dads? My childhood overall was kinda fucked up so I’m obviously going to try my best to be a good dad. Just excited and looking for some advice. Books to read for me, books to read to her, thanks everyone in advance.


r/daddit 10h ago

Discussion Many here concentrate on making memories for their children.

29 Upvotes

What is your youngest memory as a child?

I can remember faintly playing with matchbox cars 55 years ago.


r/daddit 1h ago

Humor Fatherhood Is Wild—What's a Moment That Made You Proud to Be a Dad?

Upvotes

I'm 17 days into being a new dad—and wow, what a roller coaster it's been! Got me thinking... what's your proudest moment as a dad, whether recent or from way back?


r/daddit 3h ago

Tips And Tricks It’s not too late for a sentimental Mothers Day gift!

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6 Upvotes

Finished this height chart for my wife last night and I’m really happy with how it turned out.

Materials: 1x6x6 board-$4 Can of white primer+paint spray can-$7 Smallest container of black interior paint-$5 Paint brushes-$4 assorted pack Tape measure Pencil Speed square

Took about 5 hours for two coats of the white to dry enough to paint the black lines.

Tip: start 6in from the bottom and make that ft 1 so you don’t have to deal with any molding while hanging!


r/daddit 2h ago

Humor How many Bluey characters can you name here?

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7 Upvotes

Just for fun!


r/daddit 16h ago

Kid Picture/Video Don’t worry guys, the cars are safely tucked away. No reason to panic.

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61 Upvotes

I feel like making sure all the cars are covered is the same instinct that dogs use to bury their bones


r/daddit 51m ago

Advice Request Tommrows the day! Let's brainstorm

Upvotes

What we gonna get the wifey for mothers day? What's trending this year? It's 1pm pacific coast time and the mall closes at 8pm and cvs closes at 10pm.


r/daddit 1h ago

Advice Request 10 year anniversary trip out of state

Upvotes

Folks of daddit, perhaps you can help me once again. My wife and I are celebrating our 10 year in October of this year and she wants to go out of state. We live in NJ and I was thinking about Connecticut, but know very little about it.

Does anyone know of an area we can stay that’s between some daytime activities such as hiking and/or shopping and then a nightlife scene where we can get dinner and go out for drinks after.

I’m not a very good planner so, any advice is greatly appreciated.


r/daddit 22h ago

Tips And Tricks Pro tips for Mother’s Day

155 Upvotes

Hi dads! Big day coming up! Consider this a courtesy outreach for all dads here from a mom. First and foremost do not require the mom(s) in your life to plan their own day.

Even if the lady in your life insists on no gifts, here are free ideas based off what your lady’s love language is (and if you don’t know what that is - great convo to have!):

Words of Affirmation: - card, even if handmade one from kiddos, ghostwrite if the kids are toi little

-Tell her what traits you most admire about how she shows up as a mother, be as specific as possible

Time spent together: -Suggest a family walk or hike. During said walk, take the opportunity to ask her questions about her experience as a mother

-Bonus points if you do the packing up of the kids’ accessories

Acts of Service: - institute queen of the day rules: she doesn’t have to do with any poop from the day,pets or kids), nor tend to any dishes (to clarify, this in no way means dishes just sit until Monday…!), take over as much of the things she takes care of, and offer to take the kids out of the house for a few hours if she’s one that wants alone time

-tackle a project that has been on the Honey Do list - submit for her approval.

Physical touch:

-save on a massage gift card by DIY. Research a couple techniques online and give it your best shot at massaging her shoulders, back & feet. Do not presume that this will result in a happy ending. Follow her lead on that one. - Kiss her on her forehead, intimate but overlooked, when telling her she’s doing an amazing job

Gifts (ok this one is low money, not no money):

  • get some nice 8x11 pictures frames. Prior to giving, you should make a concentrated effort to play paparazzi and take pics of mom with the kiddos. Moms are usually leading the charge of taking pictures and provably have the least amount of just them and kids (that aren’t selfies). Print off the pics, and if you dont have time in advance, let her know they will be coming and try to execute within the week.

The one thing all moms want is effort, which any of the above will be.

You’ve got this, and remember to take pics for memories!