Becoming a Father – Andy Lay

I’ve always considered myself lucky, having found what I didn’t know at the time, was to be my life long partner back when I was still in high school. If someone was to tell me back then that I would become a father in 10 years’ time, I would’ve told them to “get real”.  Being young and naive I’ve always had the mentality that I would have a child when I’m 35, at the earliest. That mentality, however started to phase out very quickly when I got engaged at age 21 and then married at age 24. A battle soon pursued between me and the wife. It was either to purchase our first home now or to have a child first. With no surprises, my wife won and we decided to have our first child.

Having a really large extended family meant we got advice from EVERYONE regarding having a child. From what to eat, to how we could tell if we were having a boy or girl. One thing that no one really warned me about, was how tiring it would be for Evone and myself. Evone reckons it’s a good way to lose weight, I believe it’s a good way to lose my mind.

Another amazing person in my son’s life is his Grandma (Evone’s Mother), who I refer to as ‘The Baby Whisperer’. Leon could be screaming his lungs out one minute and all Grandma has to do is touch him and he’ll drift into deep sleep immediately.

One thing which was never mentioned to me, was how rewarding and warm I would feel every time I hold my baby boy. Perhaps all my uncles, mates and cousins were too manly to admit it, but having my son in my arms makes me feel like nothing can go wrong. Beyond the sleepless nights, dirty nappies and the constant worrying of everything, I have never felt so needed and so much love from one little man. I am yet to fully understand what it is to become a father; however I can only imagine what adventures await us in the future.

Regarding my family, I could not be gladder to have so many of them around to provide assistance and help to us. For anyone who is thinking of having a child or is currently in the progress of having a child, my advice is to go out and spend as much time as possible with someone else’s baby. This will ensure you are exposed to all the loud cries, stinking nappies and constant fear of something being wrong with little bub. I definitely believe the experience will be much more realistic compared to receiving advice after advice from everyone.