5 Great Dad Hacks to Make Parenting Easier

At Dadvengers we talk to a lot of new dads and dads-to-be who tell us they're "scared", "terrified" or "unprepared" to be a dad. That is a totally understandable way to feel. Becoming a parent is a huge life change, and we know that can be intimidating. But don't worry dad, there are so many ways to make parenting easier! So we're here to share our top dad hacks to help you be the greatest dad you can be!

Develop Routines... and Stick To Them!

Parenting is easier when you all know what is coming next! Even very young babies benefit from a good routine. When you have one in place you'll find parenting becomes so much easier!

You'll notice that your baby will start showing their own routine from just a couple of months old. They'll start eating and sleeping on a schedule. If you make a note, and start working around those times, you'll soon find parenting gets easier. You will know when to plan in bath time, or the best times to get out for a walk. Plus you'll be prepared when time for a feed and nap is coming up. This will soon evolve into a routine that works for you and your child!

Spend Time Focused On Your Child

The modern world is full of distractions! It is easy to get caught up in scrolling through social media or watching something on TV, and not be as present as we should be as parents. We're all guilty of it at times, and it can be difficult to shut off the outside distractions. But, if you set aside time each day to switch off and really focus on your child, you'll find you get to know them better. This in turn will help you to understand their needs which is why this is one of our top dad hacks!

You can start this when your baby is really young. Put the phone away, turn off the TV and really focus on the time you're with your child. Start this during feeding or play time, at least once a day. As they get older you will find it easier to focus on them and be a part of their world. Dads playing with their kids is so important for their development, and both of your health and happiness.

Be Patient - One of the More Difficult Dad Hacks

This one can be tricky for all of us! With so much happening in our lives, patience can be hard to come by! But, if you can work on being patient with your child, your parenting journey will become so much easier. Your children will learn how to manage their frustrations through you. So showing patience to them will in turn help them to show patience to others.

One of the best ways to increase your patience is to know what causes you to snap. Once you know what your triggers are, you can find ways to avoid them. For example, if running late makes you lose your cool, start the getting ready process earlier and take the stress out of it. Remember, nobody is perfect and we will all lose our cool sometimes. So learning techniques to bring you back to a calm frame of mind, will also really help. Try some deep breathing, or taking yourself away from the situation for a few minutes. Find whatever works for you, and when you feel your patience running thin, take a moment to calm yourself before you get to boiling point!

Be Prepared to Adapt and Try New Things

Parenting is full of new experiences. But it can also be full of challenges! Which is why one of our top hacks for dads it to be prepared to adapt! You might have plans for a great day out, but if something happens and the plans need to change, you must be open to this. Or maybe your well established routine isn't working so well as your child gets older? Don't worry... try something new, there are always many options for all situations. There is going to be a lot of trial and error in parenting, and being able to adapt is key.

So whether it is trying a new way of helping the kids get to sleep. Or playing a new game on a rainy day. Adapting and trying new things will help you grow as a parent.

Listen to Your Kids is One of the Best Dad Hacks

Giving your children time and space to express themselves will create strong relationships as they grow. This will help you to have a strong and secure bond with them. Too often, we're quick to brush off what our kids are saying, and that means we don't always hear what they're feeling. When children are younger, they may not have the vocabulary to easily tell you what is upsetting them. Or why they're so excited they're jumping for joy. Listening to what they're really saying and helping them find the words to express themselves will make it easier next time it happens.

This will also help reduce tantrums in the early years, and keep communication open as your kids get older. Especially as you head into the teenage years, you want your children to be comfortable talking to you about sometimes difficult subjects. The foundation of really listening to your kids when they're young will build this for them, and you.

Dadvengers New Dads Course is Full of Great Dad Hacks!

If you're preparing for a new baby, you may be looking for more dad hacks to help you on start your parenting journey! So why not head down to The Baby Show and find out all about our New Dads Course? The course is specifically designed for new dads and is full of great advice and hacks to help you feel ready to start parenthood in the best way. We can't wait to see you there!