In My Daddy Era: Confessions from a First-Time Father
In My Daddy Era is a place for me to slow down and say the things I don’t want to forget.
Each episode is a short reflection on becoming a first-time father. The moments that catch me off guard, the feelings I didn’t expect, the fear, the joy, and the quiet in-between. Sometimes it’s something big. Sometimes it’s something small. But it’s always honest.
This isn’t a parenting podcast or a guide on how to do things “right.” It’s more like an audio journal of me talking through what fatherhood is teaching me in real time, while I’m still learning it myself.
The episodes are short, lightly edited, and recorded whenever life makes something feel worth capturing. Just reflections I want to remember… and maybe something my daughter will hear one day and understand how deeply she was loved.
In My Daddy Era: Confessions from a First-Time Father
Five Nurses, Five Swaddle Techniques, and One Tiny Human
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Episode Summary:
In the quiet chaos of a hospital room, a simple text message triggers a massive identity shift. Rick shares the raw, unedited realization of moving from "son" to "father" in a matter of hours. From the terror of the "near-slip" to the humility of learning five different swaddles from five different nurses, this episode is a tribute to the steep learning curve of day one.
What You’ll Hear:
- The Text Message: The moment the word "Dad" stopped being about someone else and started being about Rick.
- The Learning Curve: How "not knowing what a swaddle is" turns into a masterclass from hospital staff.
- The Grace Period: Why perfection is impossible in parenthood and why "giving yourself grace" is the only way forward.
- The "She Didn't Break" Report: A firsthand account of overcoming the fear of a fragile newborn.
When we were still in the hospital after my daughter was born, one of my best friends reached out to check on us. He asked, How's mom and dad doing? I replied that my parents were elated to finally be grandparents. He said, That's great, but I meant you and your wife. I'm Rick, and this is in my daddy era. Confessions from a first-time father who was terrified of breaking his newborn baby girl. This isn't a manual, just how I was feeling in the moments I realized titles in my life had completely shifted. It's crazy how fast it happens. One minute you're an individual, a son, a husband, the next, my wife is mom, my mom is grandma, my father becomes grandpa, and my brother and sisters become uncle and aunts. And me? I became dad. I'm pretty sure before my daughter was born, I didn't know what a swaddle was. I had never changed the diaper, and I had definitely never held a newborn. I actually made a point of it. Now suddenly I'm responsible for that little tiny human being. Who gave us permission? The nurses made it look so easy. They handled her like they knew she wouldn't break. Me, on the other hand, I was terrified, especially after a near slip on the first day completely freaked me out. Yes, maybe there isn't a direct manual, but there are endless amounts of parenting books and parents that are willing to impart words of wisdom on you, but none of that could have prepared me for seeing my baby girl for the first time and realizing what an honor and weight that was just bestowed upon my wife and I as parents. By the end of the day, I had learned five different swallowing techniques from five different nurses. I had changed a bunch of diapers, made a dozen bottles, and yes, I also held my baby girl multiple times throughout the day, and I'm happy to report back she didn't break. It's really amazing how fast you start to adjust, and what was once uncomfortable becomes the norm. And I swear, as soon as you master one set of skills and you have a down pat, that's the exact moment that everything shifts and changes again, and it's time to adjust and learn a new set of skills. The first week was a crazy roller coaster of emotions, but the thing I started learning about parenthood on day one was no matter how perfect you try to be, you're always gonna make mistakes. I have been learning to give and accept grace to and from myself and my partner. I'm Rick, still learning, still growing, and still showing up. Until next time.