Love is not a given. Movies seem to mark childbirth as a pivotal moment, that having a child automatically turns you into a loving parent. Thing is, the bond is earned, not bestowed.
Sexism will somehow always exist. Call me old-fashioned, but I would find it easier to tell my son to 'walk it off, all while pampering my daughter for the same boo-boo.
Failing others is worse than failing myself. Breaking my own promises is a common occurrence. But the potential of breaking my promises to my child ups that ante quite a bit.
Nothing is ever guaranteed. You may think you know the secrets to putting your newborn to sleep, but then month number six comes along, and now you need a bedtime routine overhaul. Ditto their food and toy preferences. In three-month intervals.
You are more resilient than you think. Can't sleep in noisy environments? Need eight hours of rest to function properly? You learn how little you need to get by in life, and wonder why you thought so little of yourself.
Your kids are much more resilient than you think. It's normal to want to protect your child, but sometimes they need to touch that hot pan to know why you vehemently prevent them from doing so.
When in doubt, wake up earlier. Since nothing good ever comes from staying up late as a parent, the only time you can embrace as your own will be the wee hours of the morning, before everybody wakes up. Accept that.
There will never be enough time. Remember all that time you used to spend binge-watching the first season of Stranger Things? Yeah, now you'll be glad for the extra half-hour you get to tidy your car.
No matter how much of a loser you think you are, your child will see you as a hero. For their first few years of sentience, at least. And that alone is worth the price of admission.
When all else fails, embrace one platitude. And that is 'nothing lasts forever'. Because sometimes, logic alone will not weasel you out of a toddler tantrum. But if fatherhood has ever taught you anything, it is that nothing ever lasts—even your wisdom on bedtime routines.
