The Ten Commandments for New Fathers
By David Port, co-author, Caveman’s Guide to Baby’s First Year
It’s easy to pick a new father out of a crowd. He’s the one shambling
aimlessly down the sidewalk with a glazed, deer-in-the-headlights look
on his face. Parenthood can indeed be an overwhelming experience for
many new dads. What they need to find their way through the postpartum
wilderness is a little sage advice and guidance from guys who came
before them. Here’s the code of responsibility that the crème of the new
father crop has been passing down to men of younger generations since
well before Charlton Heston and Moses himself walked the earth.
• Thou shalt protect, positively influence and nurture thy offspring.
Babies are vulnerable. They need dads who vigilantly look out for their
best interests.
• Thou shalt protect, honor and support thy postpartum partner and thy
relationship. The best-equipped dads are those who are on solid ground
with their women.
• Thou shalt be present in, and savor, the moment. Don’t let the
pressing responsibilities of parenthood overshadow the amazing moments
and emotions life with a baby can conjure.
• Thou shalt take pride in thy offspring and in paternity. Do not shy
from opportunities to show off thy chip-off-ye-old-block.
• Thou shalt trust thy instincts. In moments of parental indecision or
crisis, it’s often best to go with what your gut tells you.
• Thou shalt use levelheaded common sense. The challenges of parenthood
can test one’s patience. During trying times, let cooler heads prevail.
If you cannot count to 10, count to three.
• Thou shalt not fear asking for help and guidance when necessary. Don’t
let your pride get in the way of what’s best for the little one. Good
advice is out there, from peers, pros, even your own parents.
• Thou shalt exercise healthy skepticism and an ability to discern
solid, useful advice and information from suspect. Parenting and
child-rearing advice can come at you from all angles. Not all of it is
useful and some of it is downright hazardous to the health of your
youngster. Consider the source and learn how to filter.
• Thou shalt be an involved, engaged parent. Nothing ventured, nothing
gained. Leave detached parenting to lesser men.
• Thou shalt remain true to thy inner troglodyte. Being a responsible
father and partner doesn’t preclude you from continuing to pursue things
that make you who you are. A happier, fulfilled man usually makes for a
better parent.
About The Author
David Port is a Colorado-based writer and editor whose books include
The Caveman’s Pregnancy Companion, The New Game: A Strategy to Reinvent the
American Economy, and
Caveman’s Guide to Baby’s First Year. Born and raised in Connecticut,
Port founded his own writing/editing firm, Southpaw Print/Net Communications, in
2000. He’s also founding editor of the New Parent Guide, a magazine for new dog
and cat adopters. An avid snowboarder, camper and baseball fan, Port lives in
the Denver area with his wife and two young children. He’s a graduate of Trinity
College in Hartford, Conn. For more info, visit
www.cultivatedcaveman.com.
