Guidelines to a somewhat successful first year guide on the parentals from a paterfamilias point of view

I recently attended a man's version of a baby shower. It consisted of a nice lunch with some friends, a gift of diapers for the father-to-be, and a list of a few tips to use for that first year of fatherhood.

Here goes with the list:

1. Be flexible! Things change by the minute and your wife is counting on you to roll with the changes.
2. Make sure that baby wears sunscreen when outside in the heat. The new skin is very sensitive.
3. Never say you are tired because your wife will always be more tired than you.
4. Read to the baby.
5. Sing to the baby.
6. Pray with and for the baby.

7. Offer to stay up with your wife during the night feedings if she wants you to. It could be good company and help you both get through these special times together.
8. If the baby is crying incessantly, offer to take the baby for a walk around the block, take a turn rocking the baby in the chair, or take the baby out for a drive. See a few sights in the middle of the night, such as the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
9. 4 hands are better than 2 when giving the baby a bath. The baby can be very slippery when wet.
10. Cherish every moment with the baby, they grow up fast!
11. The first few times the baby poos will not be typical at all. Trust me.
12. Bring baby nail clippers to the hospital. The baby's finger and toe nails may be long and can scratch you or themselves.

13. Watch out for head butts from the baby! They really hurt and you never see them coming.
14. Don't leave the baby unattended and not strapped in. They can roll off the apparatus and then they will cry.
15. Baby loves to chew everything. Get down on the ground and crawl around and look for possibilities.
16. Hide and protect your valuables. Baby will find them if not properly stowed.
17. Bring extra diapers and a change of clothes. Don't get stranded at a Culvers!
18. Be extra cautious of mid-diaper change activities. Expect the unexpected.

19. Never wake a sleeping baby!
20. When it is time for a diaper change, don't hesitate, spring into action like a NASCAR pit crew!
21. Smile and laugh with your baby.
22. When your baby is over your head, remember to keep your mouth closed. Thanks J.T.!
23. Take a lot of pictures!
24. From Proverbs 22:6, "Train a child in the way he should go, and when he are old, he will not turn from it."