After all the 'no sleep' warnings, dad-to-be asks parents for moments of joy — and they deliver
When Harris Fanaroff announced that he and his wife, Katie, were expecting their first child, they were inundated with well-wishes — and warnings.
“Everyone was like, ‘You’re never going to sleep again. Say goodbye to traveling, say goodbye to your weekends.' It was one negative remark after another,” Fanaroff, 30, tells TODAY.com. “All the comments really started to get into my head. I was terrified."
To ease his anxiety, the dad-to-be in Maryland, turned to Twitter. He figured there has to be a reason people have children, right?
“My first baby is joining us in the next 3 weeks and I’m excited nervous, anxious, and grateful,” Fanaroff wrote, in part, on March 6.. “I’d love to your hear favorite parts of having a newborn/baby/kids.”
I’m tired of hearing the…
“You’ll never sleep again”
“Your travel life is over”
“Say goodbye to your weekends”
My first baby is joining us in the next 3 weeks and I’m excited, nervous, anxious, and grateful.
I’d love to hear your favorite parts of having a newborn/baby/kids— Harris Fanaroff (@HarrisFanaroff) March 6, 2023
Fanaroff asked, and the internet delivered. They assured him that sleep deprivation is only temporary, he'll still collect passport stamps, and that weekends will still be wonderful — they'll just look a little different.
“Honestly we traveled all the time w/ our baby and still do (w/3!) when baby was super little it was fun to walk to dinner and baby would just nap in stroller while we had a night out just us (vs. prior maybe we would just work all night.) Also baby snuggles are actually crack,” one mom shared.
Added a veteran dad, “Within 6mo-1yr sleep will be mostly normal. At 2 my son had a more decorated passport than most adults. You’ll find help on weekends so you can do fun things. Also, hanging out with your kid is the fun thing you want to do on weekends (most of the time)."
And the comments keep coming:
They are SO WEIRD AND FUN. My husband and I spend way more time laughing than we ever, ever anticipated. Also, we are extremely good co-parents and the way he is as a Dad makes me love him even more.
— Julie Bogen (she/her) (@JaBogen) March 10, 2023
Our baby girl hit 11 months today. It's amazing. Seeing her face in awe every time she experiences something new. Seeing how she picks up on little quirks from me and my wife already. It's all so awesome. Just enjoy the ride. Do what works for you.
— Vincenzo Landino (@vincenzolandino) March 7, 2023
Babies unlock a whole new and different part of life filled with those things, sure, but also of love, joy, happiness, meaning, and purpose. You get a brand new perspective on life, and your heart grows. It’s the best thing in the world.
— Jason Schulweis (SXSW) (@jschulweis) March 6, 2023
Harris — Nothing better than when the hand hold. It’ll start with them grabbing a finger, and then one day you’ll be walking and you feel them reach up and grab your hand. That’s when the heart melts!
Run your own race, enjoy the challenges, they are blessings! pic.twitter.com/whs8tJuJbP— Robbie Britt (@CoachRB6) March 6, 2023
Some good answers here.
Bottom line is the good stuff outweighs the negatives 100:1.
Holding that little life, watching them figure out the entire world, the giggles and little hands on your face, seeing you in them, for good or Ill they’ll have to figure out themselves.— Jason Cohen (@asmartbear) March 7, 2023
My 2yo has been on over 100 flights, so the people claiming they don’t travel are maybe just lame. 😉
Babies are pure joy. Sure, there are some sacrifices, but nothing compares to the fulfillment of shepherding that sweet soul. Just wait til your babe smiles and says “dada!” 😍— Liz Wheeler (@Liz_Wheeler) March 8, 2023
I think one of the best parts this becoming a parent is viewing the (glaringly nonperfect) world through their eyes in all the small ways from music to seeing fireworks for the first time and re-experiencing big things like Christmas or a vacation. Kids are magic. Congrats! x
— Beth Booker (@itsbethbooker) March 8, 2023
All three of our girls slept through the night.
Our eight year old has flown 64 flights to date.
My wife and I go on more dates now than pre-kids.
Children add additional meaning and balance to life!— Michael S. Brady (@apex471) March 7, 2023
Ignore it - and tell your wife to say "no thanks" to the horrific birth stories other moms sometimes try to share.
Kids are amazing. You will be a great dad.
There is no journey quite as fulfilling as being a parent.— Andrea Michalek 🎯 Product Coach (@ThatAndreaM) March 6, 2023
More than 5,000 people replied publicly, but Fanaroff says he's received “300 plus” private messages from strangers sharing the joy of parenting.
"I was excited and scared before — now I'm only excited," he says. "
But Fanaroff says the best part is that that viral thread is helping others.
"I've had a couple of people say they were debating not having kids and they've changed their minds," he says. "I never thought my post would reach so many."
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This article was originally published on TODAY.com