The Sorted Dad

Becoming a dad is one of life’s most profound shifts — up there with moving house, changing careers, or trying to assemble IKEA furniture without swearing. But unlike a flat-pack wardrobe, fatherhood doesn’t come with instructions. And while there are plenty of books and baby blogs out there, most of them skip the stuff that actually hits you in the middle of the night (literally and emotionally).

So, from one dad to another — here’s what I really wish someone had told me before I became a parent. No fluff. No filters. Just the truths that sneak up on you at 3 a.m. when you’re rocking a human burrito in the dark and wondering if you’ve completely lost the plot.

1. 

You Won’t Instantly Know What You’re Doing — And That’s Fine

There’s this myth that fatherhood comes with a sudden download of knowledge, like Neo in The Matrix getting kung fu. It doesn’t. You’ll Google things you never imagined (“is green baby poo normal?”), and that’s OK.

Sorted Dad takeaway: Parenthood is a skill you build, not a title you’re handed.

2. 

Your Relationship Will Shift (and That’s Normal Too)

Having a baby is like dropping a bowling ball into a kiddie paddling pool — the ripple effects hit everything. Sleep, time, sex, money, emotions. Your relationship with your partner will change, and some days it’ll feel like tag-team survival mode.

Sorted Dad takeaway: Communicate, laugh when you can, and don’t keep score. You’re both knackered.

3. 

You’ll Question If You’re Good Enough

Dad guilt is real. Whether you’re working too much, missing milestones, or just feeling like you don’t know how to soothe your crying child, that doubt creeps in. But showing up, being present, and trying is being a good dad.

Sorted Dad takeaway: Perfection is a myth. Presence is the goal.

4. 

Your Old Life Doesn’t Disappear — It Just Evolves

No, you don’t have to give up all your hobbies and dreams. You just need to learn how to make them fit into this new reality. Yes, everything takes longer. Yes, sleep is rare. But you’ll find pockets of time to be you again.

Sorted Dad takeaway: Don’t lose yourself in fatherhood — bring yourself along for the ride.

5. 

There’s No ‘Right Way’ — Just Your Way

Co-sleeping, bottle feeding, sleep training, routines… every topic has an opinion war around it. But most of parenting is about figuring out what works for your family, not what works for influencers or Facebook groups.

Sorted Dad takeaway: Trust your gut. You know your child better than the internet does.

6. 

Babies Are Tougher Than They Look

They seem fragile — and yes, you need to be gentle — but babies are surprisingly resilient. They bounce (not literally), recover quickly, and forgive you for messing up bath time or cutting their nails too short.

Sorted Dad takeaway: Don’t let fear stop you from getting hands-on. You’re more capable than you think.

7. 

You’ll Cry More Than You Expected

Not just from exhaustion — though that’s part of it. But from love. From a random song on the radio. From watching your baby grab your finger. From seeing your partner hold them. Fatherhood opens a part of your heart you didn’t know existed.

Sorted Dad takeaway: Let it out. Emotion isn’t weakness — it’s connection.

8. 

The Days Are Long, but the Years Are Fast

There will be days when the clock seems frozen, when bedtime feels like a marathon and you’re Googling “how to make a toddler nap longer.” But suddenly you blink and your baby isn’t a baby anymore. The jumperoo’s in the attic and you’re looking at preschools.

Sorted Dad takeaway: Try to be present. Even in the chaos. Especially in the chaos.

9. 

You’ll Learn a New Definition of Tired

Pre-kid tired? That was a warm-up. Parenting tired is falling asleep standing up, misplacing your keys in the fridge, or watching Hey Duggee on loop and questioning your sanity.

Sorted Dad takeaway: Sleep when you can. And yes, strong coffee is now a love language.

10. 

It’ll Be the Hardest, Most Beautiful Thing You Ever Do

No one really prepares you for the intensity of fatherhood. The way your world narrows to the needs of this tiny human. The way your priorities shift. The way love can make you do things you never thought you were capable of.

Sorted Dad takeaway: You’ve got this. Even when it doesn’t feel like it. Especially when it doesn’t feel like it.

Final Thoughts

Fatherhood doesn’t come with a manual — but it does come with moments of pure magic, if you’re willing to be there for them. You don’t have to be the perfect dad. You just have to be present, engaged, and human.

So here’s to the late-night feeds, the Lego underfoot, the tears (theirs and yours), and the joy of watching a tiny person grow into themselves — with you right there beside them.

Being a dad? It’s messy, mad, and completely life-changing. But it’s also the best job you’ll ever have.