Lock your bedroom door.
Some people put a cowbell on their kids' door. Just don't count on hearing a knock before you hear the worst words, "daddy, what are you doing to mommy." A lock is very cheap insurance.
Take thousands and thousands of photos.
With digital that's easy to do. The trick is to edit them so that your computer isn't storing thousands and thousands of pictures. Garry Winogrand, the great 20th century black and white photographer died with 2500 rolls of undeveloped film. He shot and shot and his skill was in finding the diamonds in the rough. With kids, this is doubly important since they rarely sit still for perfect images. The more you shoot, the better chance you'll capture the real them.
Leave a loaded camera on the kitchen counter and be ready for every photo opportunity. The worst camera to have is the one you don't have with you when the perfect shot happens. Rather than buying a super-duper camera, the best dad photographers have a fairly cheap point and shoot camera that's small enough to keep in a pocket and always at the ready.
Learn how to juggle.
Juggling amazes small and even big children. It's something you can teach them later and it's a basic dad skill.
Kiss your wife goodbye and hello in front of the kids.
No can overestimate the value of showing the kids every day that they live in a loving and secure home. Do this especially if you're mad or having a fight. It might just have some side benefits to your marriage as well.
Avoid passing bad habits on to your kids.
If you swear or smoke, think about how your kids are likely to imitate you. It's a big responsibility.
Don't set your sights to high on what kind of dad you should be.
Every dad wants to be a "
great dad," but we all lose our temper, need a break from the kids, and sometimes wonder what we might have done without the responsibilities of parenthood. We're all human, so give yourself a break from worrying that you could be better. Just try to be the best dad you can be at your next shot, whether that is story-reading time tonight or a day at a ballgame this weekend.
Buy a minivan.
Though not really a "tough" vehicle, a minivan is the perfect family vehicle for its sheer practicality and the comfort it offers.
Watch cartoons with your kids. Learn the lyrics to the songs. Get MP3s and play them in the car.
The kids will be impressed that you want to join their club.
Be consistent.
Kids like structure and the more you repeat and model consistent behavior, the better chance your kids will act accordingly.
Luckily for you, many of the
parenting skills come naturally to new dads if you’re able to grow with the role of being a dad.
