Two Important Parenting Tips for New Dads

Oftentimes when people talk about parenthood, they hyper-focus on mothers. Of course, that makes some sense since she is generally the person who goes through the physical miracle of becoming a parent. Fathers are just as important though. They will play an equally significant role in shaping the life of the tiny human they were blessed with.

Becoming a father is, hands down, the most exciting experience of a man's life. It will dwarf everything else and suddenly, a small child will own their heart. And everyone is going to flood the new dad with advice about what he should do - including us. It's up to dad to decide what advice he should keep.

1. Practice Healthy Habits

It's imperative that all parents practice healthy habits. Childhood isn't easy, but it's even harder on a child if they're missing their dad. Heart disease is the leading cause of death for men, according to the Centers for Disease Control. It stands to reason that one of the best ways for a father to ensure he's around for a long time is to take care of their heart.

How can they do that? Well, obviously diet and exercise are extremely important. Eating healthy foods that are low in fat but high in nutrients is the first step. For example, oatmeal with fruit in the morning or lean meat and a lot of veggies for dinner. Of course, they don't want to forget to take multivitamins for men to ensure they're getting all of the vitamins they need to keep their bodies running well.

The American Heart Association recommends people get at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise per week or 75 minutes of intense activity. It works best if the activity is spread throughout the week.

The cool part about exercise is that dads can also incorporate time with their kids into the routine. That would also show kids the importance of exercise from an early age and they're more likely to continue those healthy habits when they're older. Not only will dad be working toward staying healthy for himself, but he will also be putting his child on a path to success. As parents, isn't that all we really want to do anyway?

2. Make Time for the Kids

Sometimes, fathers who are the breadwinners of the family won't have a whole lot of downtime. They can get caught up in being successful in their careers and their kids miss out on vital time with their dad.

Hear this: There is no greater gift that a father can give their child than their time.

Fathers should always carve out time for their kids both during the week and on the weekend. Make it to their extracurricular activities. Make it a point to spend time with each child individually. A great way to do that is by setting up weekly dates with each kid. Take them out for ice cream, go for a walk, throw the football in the front yard for an hour.

Taking the time to show kids that they are the number one priority will create a solid relationship with dad. It also gives the kids a chance to talk to their father, tell him their problems and get good advice.

All kids really want are fathers who are present. The best way dads can guarantee that they are around is by taking care of their physical health and making it a habit to carve out family time, no matter how busy life and work get. Remember, that career isn't going to take care of you as you age, your kids will.