Ok people – If you are just begging for all the baby updates to be over with….. I am sad to inform you that they are not. I promise one day I will write about things other than diapers and forgetting to shampoo my hair (again) but for now…It’s all I got.
I wanted to share a cool project I worked on before Beckett was born.
I feel like during pregnancy and delivery and the excitement of a new baby Mom gets help, baby gets loved on, and Dad gets forgotten. Which is CRAZY.
Because Damn.
Baby Daddy does WORK.
Ben had to navigate all kinds of stuff. First nine months of me growing a human, then the stress of delivery, the struggle of returning to work, and all the emotions that come with being a DAD. I didn’t want Ben to feel forgotten or overlooked during any part of the process. So I made him a little present.
A “New Dad Basket” to be specific.
This included all of his favorite snacks, coffee for those early mornings, treats, and some of his favorite workout gear. I wrote notes on all the items to make it more personal. For example – I bought him “LaughingMan” coffee with a note that said “Thanks for keeping us all laughing through this crazy roller coaster ride”. I also added in Life savers with a note that said- “You. Are. A. Life Saver!! None of us would be here without you”. Each note was a little different but in general they thanked him for helping with the baby, taking care of me, watching after the house and keeping everyone laughing through the tough days. I added in the workout gear from his favorite company as a bonus and to bulk up the basket so that it wasn’t just snacks.
BUT.
The best part about the basket was the letter.
In the weeks before Beck was born, I knew that Ben was anxious about becoming a dad. (Who wouldn’t be?) He had mentioned having to learn everything there is to know and wondered if he’d be any good at it. If you know Ben- you know he was built to be a dad. Kids gravitate to him because he likes to play, he is the silliest adult in any room, and has a crazy talent of making people feel like they are the most special human in the world. Everyone loves that- but especially kids.
That being said- I asked his family, my family, and all our close friends to share a little encouragement about becoming a dad and why he would be great at it.
It turned into a mini book. Everyone had so much to say about Ben. It was AMAZING.
I gave Ben his basket a few days after we returned from the hospital. I figured the adrenaline had worn off, the sleep deprivation had hit-and he could use a pick me up.
It was so amazing! Not only were the snacks and workout gear a nice surprise- but the letter of encouragement from all the most important people in his life is exactly what he needed.
So friends, if you are about to have a baby, if you just had a baby, if your babies are all grown up and moved out, if you’re dreaming of babies, or raising fur babies- give Daddy some love. Remind him that he is special and loved and the hard work he is doing is not going unseen.
If you’re about to pop or you’re busy chasing around toddlers–I get it. Building a basket might not be at the top of your to-do list.
But please, please, please don’t miss the opportunity to say thank you to the people in your life.
It’s simple, but so easily forgotten…
To call out something you admire about a person does only good things. For you, for them, and for your babies. So whether it’s on a post-it note, in a basket, or on your way out the door- Speak life. Today.
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