Am I ready to become a dad?

Whether it is planned or if your wife hits you with the big surprise of having a child, it will still make you ask yourself if you are ready to become a dad.

Having kids is so rewarding but also requires significant accountability for a parent. This is why the majority of men are afraid to become fathers. 

Becoming a dad means caring for his children and leading a home that could impact its community. 

The good news is that even women are not 100 percent ready to become mothers. The same is true for men. 

Nobody is entirely confident that they can deal with nurturing another human being. 

How can I take on the dad role?

Things to consider about being a dad

The becoming of a father would take a lot on men. 

Before preparing yourself for one of the significant roles you will be playing for your children, you should ask yourself these questions to yourself.

Am I willing to make sacrifices

When you become a dad, your life is not just about you anymore. Your priorities will change, even your time for your hobbies. 

Are you willing to cancel all basketball games with your friends or a boys’ night out to go home early and care for your child?

Moreover, you will not just work for yourself anymore; you will have to provide everything for your family. Are you willing to have more working hours than before?

How are my finances

The reality is that it is so expensive to become a parent. The Department of Agriculture estimated that in 2015, raising a child until age 17 cost $233,619. 

If your answer to this question is no, you do not have to worry because, as long as you are willing, you will always find a way to prepare for your finances. 

Additionally, you need to consider having a steady income to handle not just the needs of your children but also extra expenses.

What kind of father would I want to be

Your answer to this question would be your foundation for raising your children. Think about your personal experience with your dad. 

It could be a good or bad experience, but this would be one factor defining the kind of parenting style you would be using. 

Are you going to be strict or lenient? What environment will you create for yourself to raise a good person?  

Moreover, you should also consider the kind of husband you would be to your wife. 

How you treat your children's mother will also affect the type of person your children will be.

How should I prepare for fatherhood 

There is no perfect way to prepare for becoming a father, whether you are still in shock or have been waiting for this moment. 

We can still do something to help ourselves prepare for this beautiful and roller-coaster ride of parenthood. 

Here are some ways to help you become ready to be a dad.

Work on your spiritual life

The best foundation for becoming a dad is faith in God. You must work on your spiritual life because you must lead your family. 

Moreover, you will be a role model for your children on how they should obey.

Your children will know how to follow the rules if you are faithful and careful in obeying God’s command. 

It is difficult to nurture your children while struggling with your weaknesses or brokenness. They say that hurting people hurts others. 

You may be one of those children who suffered from a cruel father and still have not forgiven him and may pass down your pain to your children. 

Thus, when you start to work on your spiritual life and let God set you free from your unpleasant experience, you can be a loving and forgiving father to your children. 

Know more about God as a father

If you do not have someone to look up to regarding how to be a dad, you can start discovering more about the kind of father God is. 

Besides, our Heavenly Father is the perfect picture of a loving father. He provides for the needs of His children and loves and cares for them. He also disciplines his children for their good. 

Start being consistent in your devotion time with God so you can know more about His personality as a father. 

More importantly, God would show you how to become a dad and be with you in this new chapter of your life. 

He will also bless your household as you seek Him and walk in His righteousness.

Besides, He would sustain you and take control of the things that are out of your hands.

Study fatherhood

There are a lot of valuable resources nowadays that empower you to become the kind of dad that you want. You can read books about fatherhood or watch videos online. 

If you are a first-time dad, you can also research how to support your wife in her pregnancy journey. Your role as a dad is just to your child and their mother. 

Know how you could understand their feelings and what they are going through, so you would know how to respond. 

In addition, the pregnancy stage is crucial because the baby is still developing inside the womb. Try to learn more about how you could support her. 

The more you learn about fatherhood, the less anxiety and fear you will feel. Also, you will be excited when your baby comes out because you will know what to do at some point.

Be healthy

If you were not health-conscious before, you should prioritize your health now that you will be a dad. 

You should be strong and healthy to provide for your children's needs. 

Another, you need to be in good shape because you have a crucial role. 

Furthermore, evaluate your eating habits. Eating well will help you get the energy you need for long hours of work and another long hour of caring for your child, especially if it is a newborn.

Being healthy is vital for your and your family's welfare.

Communicate with your wife

Another essential thing to prepare for is being on the same page with your wife. Talk about the kind of home you would want for your children. 

When both of you are open to communication, it will make parenting easier. 

You can support each other in your new role when you have children. Discuss your schedule, especially if your wife is also working. 

Also, you have to decide whether she is willing to quit her job for a while or whether you will hire a babysitter.

As a child grows up, there are new things to discover and change. You could talk about how you would discipline your children. 

If you start talking about these things now, it could help you to be on the same parenting page.

Thus, remember that you need to work together to raise your children. 

Look for a support group

Dads in the church are the best people to support you in your fatherhood journey. Their experiences could be your lessons about what you should and should not do as a father. 

They will guide you and advise you to be the kind of father God wants you to be. 

Moreover, they will encourage you when you feel tired of doing all your responsibilities.

Besides, your pastor and Christian family can pray for you as you face this fantastic journey.