A New Beginning
June 1, 2026
Learning Who You Are While Preparing for Who You’re Becoming
Some seasons of life quietly change you before they even begin, inviting moments of pause and reflection on who we are, who we’ve been, and who we hope to become
In June, we honor those who are fortunate enough to be called Dad (pet dads too), Grandfather, and every variation of the two. We need to remember that uncles, coaches, and other positive role models also fit this bill. And there has never been enough praise given to the step-fathers who stepped up and into their children’s lives. My wife and I will be expecting our first child this June, so my mind has been active, to say the least. As we near his estimated delivery date, the thoughts have been working overtime:
How do I know I’ll be a good father?
What does it mean to be a man?
Will I be able to provide for my family?
Where do you find the balance to take care of yourself while caring for others?
When will he know how much I love him?
I know I am not alone with this internal dialogue (right?). I can only assume this worry is a positive sign, as it shows that I care for the arrival of my son and desire to be present and involved in his life. But the reassurance of care doesn’t answer the questions that keep me up at night. Is fatherhood simply trial and error? I can put my best foot forward and still not obtain the results I am hoping for. I can lead with love, compassion, and empathy, but that might not be the cure at 3 a.m. for a fussy baby. So what do I do? What do we do as men, fathers, or dads-to-be?
Three things come to mind:
Continue to educate yourself (knowledge is power!!)
Tap into resources and support systems (it takes a village)
Don’t be so hard on yourself (talking to you, Nick!)
Absorbing material pertaining to fatherhood, raising a child, and this period of growth is a great jumping-off point. The literature is always changing and is not one-size-fits-all. Stay informed and up to date, but most importantly, stick with what is working for you! There is no need to reinvent the wheel; apply what is proven to work and adapt/adjust if the desired result isn’t achieved!
Don’t have time to invest in continued education? Did that last self-help book not help? Tap into your available resources and support systems of friends, family, and colleagues. Don’t have any? Not a problem! Think outside of the box and don’t be afraid to put yourself out there. There are plenty of soon-to-be rookie fathers and seasoned fatherhood vets who are willing to share tips, tricks, and pointers.
The most generalized piece of advice applicable to all aspects of life: “don’t be so hard on yourself.” Profound yet simple. “I will try my best” and “I will make mistakes” can both be true. There will be really good days full of sunshine, laughter, and memories, while on the other hand, days full of clouds, crying, and stinky diapers wait on the horizon. Perhaps a “good” father dances the line between and makes the most out of each moment with their children. Perhaps the journey of fatherhood never ends? All I know is that it’s only the beginning for me.
Happy Father’s Day,
Nick
No matter what season of life you are navigating, support matters. Healthy Healing & Wellness is here to provide a space for growth, healing, and connection.