My favorite question to ask people is “What are some surprising things about ___________“
Fill in the blank with anything:
- A new job
- Moving to a new city
- Getting a dog
- Becoming a vegetarian
- Getting married
- Switching to a front pocket wallet instead of bulky back pocket wallet
You get some actual depth and vulnerability compared to vague prompts. People open up. They talk more. I ask myself this question a lot too. It’s a good exercise for the soul, especially when answered truthfully.
So here goes: What are some surprising things about becoming a Dad?
Surprise 1: Things are figureoutable
I was intimidated by the intellectual requirements of being a newborn Dad.
The best way to compensate was reading lots of books with fancy charts about milestones. And diligently researching apps that track feedings and sleep. And worrying about what the poop should be like on day 4, hour 12. And just generally worrying about everything.
It’s like I was about to take an important statistics exam, but forgot my tiny index card full of formulas that students are allowed to use for help. I just never felt confident in the formulas I had in my brain.
So yeah, the app worked fine. I didn’t refer back to the books. The hospital provided a milestone chart on weird xeroxed paper that was good enough.
Turns out, you just kinda figure out the rest.
Surprise 2: Cheers to them
I’ve been lucky to watch friends and family raise families the past decade. What I didn’t expect, or even consider, is how much more proud I am of them after becoming a Dad.
I was a passive observer before. Now I deeply admire these people.
Surprise 3: But this one goes to 11
I’m more in love with my daughter than I expected.
If you asked me how much I expected to love Mazey before she was born, it would have been an easy answer. Of course, 10/10. That’s the obvious, safe answer. Everyone loves their kids. Anything under 10 would be weird. Just answer 10 and move along.
But this one goes to 11.
Gratefully Dad 