Dads Adventure

Building a great team

2009-10-23T08:59:49+00:00

It’s all about me, me, me

2009-10-23T08:53:44+00:00

You’re both nuts

2009-10-23T08:48:24+00:00

What dads bring to parenting

2009-10-23T08:43:35+00:00

The first weeks are the roughest on dads

2009-10-23T08:35:48+00:00

The surprising mistake new moms can make

2009-10-23T08:20:26+00:00

You’re not making a baby, you’re making a family

2009-10-23T06:54:15+00:00

Mom Email Series

2009-09-30T23:35:47+00:00

Baby Month 9: The Breakdown for Fathers

2009-09-22T19:01:45+00:00

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Your new mobile baby will leap before she looks, so once again you must stay vigilant and within a few steps of your baby. Since separation anxiety is still an issue, that shouldn’t be much of a problem. Take your baby on walks, let her walk supported by you and carry her if she gets tired. Remember not to force a shy baby to interact with strangers because it could worsen the anxiety.

Keep an eye on her when it comes to stairs and heights. She may not be able to see all the dangers while she’s trying to master this movement thing.
Give her some encouragement to walk when she’s standing. Squat near her and hold out your arms for an invitation for her to come.
Keep her as barefoot as possible around the house. It helps her with her balance and her foot muscle tone.
It’s okay for her to suck her thumb to calm himself.
Warn people about her separation anxieties and don’t ever push her to interact with someone.
Let her drink from a cup. Keep the amount in the cup small, and have an extra shirt and some towels handy.
Find ways to say yes at least twice as much as you say no.
It’s time for the first game of catch. Roll a ball to her and have her push it back to you. Dream of the future possibilities.
If she becomes attached to a blanket or stuffed animal, that’s a good thing.
Even with all this movement, keep reading to her and providing plenty of lap time.
Make some block towers and watch her knock them down.

Two Tickets to Cancun, please.

Hopefully, by now you’ve taken enough day-trips with your baby that you’re ready for something more adventurous; it might be time for that first family vacation. Until your baby turns two, you can get her in on a plane, bus, or train for free, so if you have the funds, take a trip.

They may love the new locale as long as you and mom are around. While babies like familiar routines and objects, home to them is where you and mom are. Everything else is just gravy.

Here are some travel tips:

Bring along a few familiar toys and books.
Keep up as many home rituals as possible.
Read picture books about traveling.
Allow at least twice as much time to get to the airport as you think you might need.
Call taxi services or rental car agencies beforehand about whether they have a car seat. Otherwise, bring your own.
Consider purchasing traveler’s insurance in case your baby gets too sick to travel.
Sucking on something (breastfeeding, bottle, etc.) will help your baby’s ears during take-off.
For the sake of you, your baby and all on board, avoid getting on a plane if your baby has an ear infection.
Get some new books or activities to introduce to your baby on long trips.
Show your baby some pictures of where you are going and talk about what’s happening along the way.

Happy Trails

Congratulations, you’ve survived eight whole months of fatherhood and nine more months of pregnancy! Some parting words of advice:

If ever in doubt, don’t shout.
When you have a choice, work less and be with your kids more.
Give your partner a foot-rub a day.
Remember, getting your baby to laugh so hard that she snorts counts for extra points.

Good luck and happy fathering!

Baby Month 9: Where Your Baby’s At

2009-09-22T18:59:25+00:00

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Your baby has become this little person. She has strong reasoning skills; she understands simple commands, words and gestures. She can solve problems, answer easy questions, and can even walk unsupported for a few steps. You’ve done a great job, Dad! Be careful not to spoil your little angel too much, as this is the age when many babies will try to stay up late.

Her sense of balance is improving.
She’s trying to figure out how to sit from a standing position.
She can crawl and cruise, sometimes right up the stairs.
She may not be able to crawl back down the stairs, however.
She sometimes can stand unsupported for a few seconds.
She may be able to walk a few halting steps.
She can crane around 180 degrees while sitting.
She may be afraid of some things she wasn’t afraid of before.
She’s curious about everything.
She likes to play sharing and passing games (but she’s not exactly ready for quick passing routes).
She understands no, but won’t necessarily agree with your assessment of the situation.
She understands simple commands like “Give Grandma the ball.”
She’ll answer simple questions like “Where’s Mama?” by pointing.
If you’ve taught her sign language before, she may start using the signs now.
She likes to make some noise by banging on things.
She’s starting to wean herself from morning naps.
She’d rather not go to sleep.
She loves to sort and stack toys.
She can solve some problems himself.
She likes toys with moving parts, like wheels, levers, and doors. Sort of like you when you see a shiny pickup truck.
This may be the height of her separation anxiety, so hang in there.

(Especially at this stage of the game, these milestones are approximate; babies develop differently at different speeds. Check with a health professional before hitting the panic button.)