Something nobody warns you about: first-time Father’s Day can feel a bit like being the guest of honor at a surprise party you didn’t RSVP to. Cue emotions ranging from, “Wow, I’m really a dad!” to “Should I know what to do with this world’s-greatest-dad mug?”
One thing that helps? Clear, low-pressure communication. Research basically says that even small acts of recognition (a handwritten note, your partner ordering your favorite takeout, not having to change a single diaper before noon) matter more than grand gestures.
But here’s the real wildcard-sometimes the day is weirdly anticlimactic or tinged with imposter syndrome (“Do I really qualify as a dad yet? The baby mostly drools on me”). A good coping strategy: lower the stakes, focus on just being together, and remember that every dad gets a rookie season. And maybe, just maybe, don’t let anyone try to make you assemble a swing set on your day.
