The Daily Dad Routine That Every New Dad Needs

Here are my top 3 Daily Dad Routine tips to keep sane and become a better dad.

I became a Dad and went straight into survival mode. Last summer, it got to a point where I felt totally lost. I was doing my best to be the best new Dad and trying to be the perfect husband all while surviving Covid and isolation, but I found myself lost. 

Not the “I don’t know how to change a diaper” lost, or “Why do they still make onesies with snaps” lost. Although those are all valid search queries but rather lost in my sense of self. I had become “Hudson’s” dad but wasn’t sure where my old self had gone. I had become consumed in the chaos of just trying to get the basics right and winging my way through exploding diapers, burping techniques, and the odd feeding faux pas (yes you can turn the bottle in the wrong direction, hugely upsetting your baby). But somewhere along the way, I realized I needed to find my old self again.

It took me a couple of months, after becoming a first-time dad, to get the balance right and now I’m sharing my hard-learned lessons with you. I like to call it “The Daily Dad Routine,” because let’s face it parenthood can often feel like chaos and uncertainty, and sometimes we just need to face the truth head-on. 

So here it is, “The Daily Dad Routine”. My simple guide lets you plot your Daily Dad Routine against 3 key tips. It’s every new dad’s get sane fast cheat sheet. 

Tip #1: Carve out time for yourself before the baby wakes up.

This may sound selfish but to support your family, you need to have your head on straight. Having a new baby means your time is limited so I create space for myself before Hudson wakes up. Every morning I wake up with a cold shower and then start the day with my daily vitamins (men’s one a day, fish oil, CoQ10) and super green pre-workout drink. Then,  I complete a quick workout and spend some time writing in my journal. I never thought I’d get into journaling but it really helps me focus.

The journal that I use has a daily guide where in the morning you journal around the topic of gratitude and in the evening you reflect back on your day. The morning practices of my Daily Dad Routine have helped me feel better as a person, balance work and personal growth, and be more focused when I am with my family. Having a good balance is key for me to be a better parent. 

Tip #2: Make family moments throughout the day rather than dedicating a specific family time.

Family time does not need to be a set time every day. We like to look at family moments rather than a block-booked chunk of time.

I pick up Hudson from school every day and this is time for us to catch up and chat. We’ll jam along to the radio or his favorite, the “Baby T-Rex” song by Pinkfong. Yes, unfortunately, I know the lyrics now by heart. Hudson especially likes to reenact his dance moves, learned at school, when certain songs come on. For example, you can 100% count on a fully-seated dance party put on by Hudson when “Wheels on the Bus” starts coming out of the car speakers.

Dinnertime is also a great way to incorporate “family time”. We got Hudson a toddler stool a couple of months back so that he could hang out with us in the kitchen while we cook. With a toddler in the house, we have learned that you either eat early or you eat late and we’ve chosen the early life so that we can eat with Hudson.

Incorporating family moments into my Daily Dad Routine takes the stress out of dedicating a block-booked chunk of time and allows me to live in and enjoy each moment.

Tip #3: Schedule an hour with your wife, every day.

A happy wife is a truly happy life. As a dual-income family, trying to catch up with Emily, my wife, can feel like two train tracks going in opposite directions. I made intentional connections with my wife a part of my Daily Dad Routine because being a good dad is also about being a good Husband. I ask my wife about her day, every day and really listen to what she tells me. We’ve also found dedicating an hour in the evenings helps us connect and prevents a catastrophic train wreck for the days ahead.

It’s as simple as that.  Three tips for a Daily Dad Routine that work!

You got this dad. You’re a father now.