Keep a Journal

You may have never thought about keeping a diary or journal, but many fathers find it a great thing to keep one during this stage so you can remember all you went through as a father for the first time.

Even if the only writing you have ever done involves sports stats and the occasional email to a friend, jot down little things you will want to remember. Maybe your baby has started smiling when you pick him or her up, or your child seems to bop around when the Rolling Stones are on the radio. You’ll want to remember these little moments that sometimes can’t be captured on film. At the end of each month, look at the journal and you will discover how much you have learned and how much you have grown as a dad.

Think years ahead to when your child is older. You can take this book out and share it with him or her. Imagine how great it would have been if your dad had taken the time to write down his thoughts about your first weeks of life and gave them to you on your graduation day or the day you became a new dad.

Sit down now and start. Write a short note about what happened yesterday or today with your baby.