16 Lessons I have learnt for being a Father for 1 Year-Part 2

In my previous post,  I wrote the first part of 16 lessons that I have learnt as a father for the last one year. If you did not have a chance to read it, you can access that first section by clicking here.

9. Sharing. Become friends with parents with slightly older babies than yours. They will become handy especially with clothes that their babies have discard due to size. Normally, babies outgrow their clothes very fast and discard decent clothes in very good condition. Use those clothes instead of buying new ones.

10. Car or Taxi. If you do not have a car, either look for a trusted friend who has a car and lives nearby, or else have a number of a reliable  taxi driver. You never know, you may need to be driven at the middle of the night. Please do not ask me why. Just be prepared.

11.  Liquid. Always have extra bucks (I mean good cash) in your wallet or in the house. One day we visited relatives, the darkness fell quite fast and we had the baby and no car. We had to look for a taxi.  Because it was at night, it ended costing us five times the normal price.

12. Source of joy and laughter. A baby can create an incredible atmosphere which is otherwise elusive. I come home stressed by the job and the first thing that meets me is a smiling face of a 10 months old with two protruding teeth. I am telling you, it sends  me into a smiling frenzy. But if  its a maid that looks after your baby, you may never experience such moments. If you have a house help, make sure you create moments to spend with your baby especially after work.

13. Bonding time. Our son helps us (me and my wife) to have a great bonding time. Taking him for a walk creates a great time to share memorable moments.

14. Savings. I was forced to start saving for our son quite early, actually we started the moment we decided to have one. This is the biggest lesson I have learnt as father.

I am now looking at the best education insurance policy. I am considering BRITAK (British American Insurance Kenya). Please advice me if you know of a better alternative.

15. Baby sit. Finally, mind for you baby yourself with your partner. It is even advisable to take a leave from work to look after your baby. It will give you sense of belonging and responsibility. You do not want your son or daughter to call you uncle or aunt when she is ten years old.

16.The obvious. I also learnt the obvious stuff like changing diapers, bathing the baby, dressing, feeding him, shaving etc.

Simple things you should have as a father.

1. A good Video camera
Similar to the digital camera, video camera will help you capture when your baby will be making the first roll, the first crawl, the first feeding with the bottle. All these are memories to remember.

I use a simple normal resolution Sony handy cam DCR SX 50. Previously, I was using Sony DCR HC 42, it broke down. Sony video cameras always give me a decent video image even after editing.

2. A clinical thermometer
With babies, you never know fever may be un-invited guest. Thermometer is an essential accessory to have in the house. Instead of placing your hand on the forehead to feel the baby’s body temperature, use a good clinical thermometer. These days there are digital thermometers replacing the old mercury based thermometers. Technology is advancing, there are also those can check temperature from the ear. Thermometer can help save a life.

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