The journey leading to fatherhood is a complex and emotional journey that can stir up many questions and concerns in new fathers. Do I value it? Do I feel empowered? What was my own father like? Who might I fail as a father? These questions can rattle around in our heads, making the prospect of taking responsibility for a new life seem overwhelming and impossible to deal with.
The truth is that fatherhood is a scary unknown to leap into, and everything about it is uncertain. We may feel like we can barely take care of ourselves and our spouses at times, so how can we possibly protect this little life? The fear and anxiety that come with this role can cause intrusive and scary thoughts that make us feel like we are destined to fail.
However, the anxieties and fears we feel as new fathers are telling us something important about ourselves. They tell us that we want to be good and take care of our babies and children. They tell us of the immense sense of leadership and influence that we feel. We recognize how well we want to do and hope to do everything perfectly, striving to be the world’s greatest dad. We have the power to influence our children’s lives, and we want to ensure that our power is used for good – that our babies feel protected, and know that we are protecting them.
This wild and unfamiliar journey can be both scary and empowering. While there are many unknowns, we cannot let our fears define us. Instead, we must acknowledge and recognize our fears and look for what they are telling us. Embrace the journey and be willing to learn, grow and adapt as we navigate the ups and downs leading up to fatherhood. We all want to be good dads and that is okay.
