So you have made it this far. Baby is still not sleeping, you are not sleeping, you’re a mess, confused and just think about how mommy feels!

Men, we have it easy in this whole ordeal. Women carry life for 8 to 9 months out of their life, see their bodies shift and mold into something amazing and then back to normal and we pretty much stay the same except for have our sleep patterns disrupted.

New baby is growing at a fast rate. Feeding constantly, establishing their personality, their position in the family circle with siblings, parents and pets, it is amazing.

Eight years ago, I became a proud papa for the first time to a then and now beautiful young lady, and there was nothing like it. The second time ago, I am a papa again to another beautiful you lady and there is still nothing like it, except for one thing – time. This time around, I know what to expect. I know how I feel, why I feel that way and what to do about it. I know my role and what I need to do to help out and be most efficient. Time, like with everything, is the cure-all. It will take time for your baby to grow, so enjoy the journey. It will take time for mommy to get back to herself, so enjoy the time and love her like you haven’t before. Do not rush through these first weeks of life for the new baby. See them grow up before you and cherish the time. Be around most of the “time” fellas and remember that doing the deed was one half of the agreement, spending quality time is the other half.

As the baby gets through its first weeks of life and you get through your first new weeks in life, ask yourself this question to get in perspective, would you truly have it any other way? Check out this article for how you can help out more fellas courtesy from my friends at ezine @artices. And remember, baby’s are God’s gift to us. Love and cherish them now before it is too late!

Seriously though…

This blog post and series is for all the men out their either becoming new dads for the first time or once again. For those who know nothing to those who know it all, you can learn something from this series so put your cockiness aside and listen to the good word!

Many of us have no problem doing the deed, but have problems after the deed is done and times change and get tough. Being that I am safe in my own skin and good about my man-ness and train of thought on the subject, I thought I would take a moment to share and teach some of my simple yet valuable information with you, so you can understand what it will really take here men.

This part of the series, Be a Man!, means just that; BE A MAN!!!

Too many times I see men go half-way and then fall off when it comes to having kids. They don’t want to be around once the kid comes into the world because they have important “stuff” to do. Many of these guys I know come from a variety of backgrounds. Some have no parent figures, some do, but most have the mindset that it is “the women job” to tend to the newborn. Say what? Hold up!

Nothing, I repeat, NOTHING, is as and important as being a MAN FOR YOUR FAMILY. Let me repeat that:

NOTHING IS AS IMPORTANT AS BEING A MAN, THE MAN, FOR YOUR FAMILY!

Too many times we feel we cannot add benefit or we do not want to, thus beginning an endless cycle of negative and bad times between our loved ones and family. Don’t do the crime if you can’t do the time. Be there for your family and do not be coward. The time you spend with your friends, or doing something you like to do, does not have to stop; but it should become secondary in your life with the primary focus being on your family. I work full time, love to exercise, run my own business on the side, but those are things I get to once my family is taken cared of, period. There has not and will not be any discussion on that fact; that men, is how you should approach fatherhood!

I have a lot of respect for women in general, but what they go through during pregnancy should be commended. They make the ultimate sacrifice not only to their bodies, but their personal / social lives, you name it. Is it too much to ask for us guys to be there for them since they endured 9 months of torture? Some of yall need to wake up and understand where you are at before it is too late.

Recently, Victoria (co-author here at zenthat) and I had our second child Malia:

Malia, days old!

Being in the delivery room with my wife for the birth of Malia, and our first – daughter Lana:

Lana, a little older now of course!

…being there during those late nights, the good times, the bad times, for both of my children has shaped my life in a way that is unimaginable. It is life altering and changing to say the least, but is so in a way that will impact the way I know I will live for the rest of my life.

Men, don’t lose sight to what is important in life. Do not make the fatal mistake of being selfish. Be there and be not only an example to others but to yourself of what it takes to be a man. Don’t do it for the looks, the compliments, do it for the love and do it well!

Men, MAN UP, and do what is right. If you feel you cannot, man up about it and talk to your loved one. It is normal to be scared, I was my first time. But second time around, it is a breeze (minus the lack of sleep) and is worth every single moment!

For all those daddy’s who have recently have their first or other child, congratulations to you. And keep your eyes posted on this series for more to come!