The 5th Month of Fatherhood
All kinds of dads. Fathers' Forum welcomes gay fathers, husbands parenting together, single dads, adoptive and foster dads, and every family where men are raising children. Bruce's original book often described heterosexual couples; these pages are updated for today's families — including how gender, masculinity, and parenting roles are changing. Swap in your own names and situation wherever the text mentions a partner's pregnancy or birth.
Becoming a father changes how we view ourselves and the world.
Many fathers reflect on how they were raised — bittersweet memories of fathers who worked hard yet felt distant.
Fatherhood is socially constructed. Today's dads include gay fathers, stay-at-home dads, and husbands co-parenting equally.
Masculinity is changing: nurturing is not only women's work. Men find meaning in daily care, not only career.
For your baby
- Play peek-a-boo.
- Try soap bubbles.
For your partner
- Five minutes daily to talk about how the day went.
- Lighthearted movie night together.
For yourself
- Ask your father about parenting.
- Ask a friend about their father.
- Ask a sibling how they see your father.
From Becoming a Dad: How Fatherhood Changes Men by Bruce Linton, Ph.D., MFT — practical tips from dads in Fathers' Forum groups.