How to handle it — being a dad when you're struggling
Moves for the moments fatherhood knocks you around.
No sleep, no time, and you're flat and snappy when you 'should' be happy.
— Right now
- Tag-team a break with your partner — even 20 minutes resets you.
- Lower the bar to surviving the day. Nobody's nailing this bit.
- Get outside with the pram. Daylight and movement help you both.
— Don't
- Don't bottle 'I'm not coping' — dads get perinatal depression too, and it's treatable.
— Later
- Sign up to SMS4dads, and see your GP if the flatness sticks.
No sleep, no time, and you're flat and snappy when you 'should' be happy.
— Right now
- Tag-team a break with your partner — even 20 minutes resets you.
- Lower the bar to surviving the day. Nobody's nailing this bit.
- Get outside with the pram. Daylight and movement help you both.
— Don't
- Don't bottle 'I'm not coping' — dads get perinatal depression too, and it's treatable.
— Later
- Sign up to SMS4dads, and see your GP if the flatness sticks.
Being a dad: the short version
- 1.Tag-team a break. Survive the day.
- 2.About to lose it? Step out, drop your voice.
- 3.Plan the kid-free nights — empty ones are the risk.
- 4.They need you here and trying, not perfect.
- 5.Flat after a baby? Dads get it too — see your GP.
Doing it tough?Call Lifeline 13 11 14