The Biggest Daddy 'Secret' Ever Will Make All Moms Proud of Their Partners!

The Biggest Daddy ‘Secret’ Ever Will Make All Moms Proud of Their Partners!

Photo: Veer / The Bump

After 50 years of life and 7 babies, I now feel confident that I know what I need to do to help my wife when the baby is crying in the middle of the night. It’s a big daddy secret, but I’m willing to share.

This daddy secret is one that will help when your baby or toddler cries in the middle of the night. Maybe he’s hungry, needs a diaper change, a hug, a glass of water, or a quick “monster check.” No matter the case, remember my big daddy secret for success (because you’re going to need it!).

So, dads, when your crying baby awakes you in the middle of the night while you’re cocooned so comfortably and tucked in warm blankets, floating on a soft bed with a comfortable pillow perfectly cradling your head, what do you do?

Most new parents will slowly – very slowly — look over at the other to see if baby has awoken them, too. This is the moment of truth, or rather, the moment of unconditional love. It is not a scorecard; not the time to “fake out” your spouse and pretend to stay asleep asleep. It is time to be the daddy that you are — the daddy you imagined you’d be while waiting for baby for 9 months. I am sure you have heard the phrase, “any man can be a father, but it takes someone special to be a daddy”. Well, now’s your chance.

So, here’s my big daddy secret, (maybe even guaranteed to improve the sanctity of your marriage and sex life!): Act without hesitation. Don’t even take a moment to consider your options. Just. Do. By acting on impulse, say hellooooo to free brownie points (your wife will love it!).

Dad, this is your moment. Do not lay in bed moaning and groaning, (and whatever you do, DO NOT! pretend to sleep). Get out of bed before your wife does and go get the baby! It’ll make all the difference in the world, trust me.

I can only tell you this from experience. It took me until baby number seven to truly learn the benefits of waking in the middle of the night and bounding to the rescue of my kids. And I’ve been reaping the benefits ever since!

Moms, whats one thing your partner does to help you out?

Plus, more from The Bump:

The Most Terrifying Talk You Need to Have Before Baby Arrives

Top 10 New Dad Fears (and Why You Shouldn’t Worry)

Secret Thoughts of Newbie Dads

About the author:

DaddyScrubs™ is the offspring of Robert Nickell, who fathered his first four children more than 20 years ago. DaddyScrubs™ was conceived when Robert, who remarried in 2007, discovered he was about to be a father all over again in the fall of 2009! Not wanting to endure the pains of wearing uncomfortable street clothes while comforting his laboring wife, Robert hatched the idea of creating doctor-like scrubs for himself. It seemed a natural thing for him to do — since Robert is a pharmacist by profession. To eliminate the confusion between “who’s the doctor” and “who’s the daddy,” Robert fashioned the concept of “I’m The Daddy™” medical scrubs. Nickell is the writer of a weekly parenting blog where he writes on topics such as bonding with your child, and what the father should expect during pregnancy and infancy. He writes from a father’s perspective and keeps dad engaged throughout his children’s lives. He also contributes to national talk shows and daytime television shows including “Good Morning L.A.,” “Good Morning Texas,” “Daytime TV,” WZZM 13 and KSBI TV, and as a syndicated columnist for national newspapers, parenting magazines and websites including Baby Couture Magazine, Oh Baby! Magazine, City Parent Magazine and Homeschooling Parent. Nickell is also the founder of DaddyScrubs, delivery room duds and daddy gear for expectant and new dads. He is the father of six children, and his practiced advice has been heard on TV and radio shows around the country. read more

Janna

03/15/13 at 06:26
Excuse me if I’m not impressed that it took you until baby number SEVEN to selflessly get up and get your baby.

Teresa

03/15/13 at 06:32
It’d be more impressive if you weren’t doing it for brownie points. Moms don’t do it for brownie points, they do it because their baby is crying and they are that baby’s mother. It’s pathetic that any man should need incentive to do their damn job as a father and take care of their child.

Katrina

03/17/13 at 07:10
First you say it’s not a scorecard, then you say ‘hellooooo free brownie points! So which is it?

And yeah, I feel sorry for your wife taking care of babies 1-6 while you hadn’t figured this out yet.

Jeni

03/17/13 at 07:26
Oh calm down ladies. The idea is, to do something extra. Most men can’t tell the difference between cries, many continue working, and many women prefer to get up. But attacking the male race for not doing this instinctively? I mean come on, most women have known what to do with a baby our whole lives, how to act, react and help. Many men are clueless. This was a cute article to encourage men to get involved. they do it for love, just like we do. They do it to help and make us feel loved. They used brownie points instead of saying love because it sounds cuter in an article.

Calm down and get a glass of wine.