The 9th 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.
In the ninth month you notice the routines you and your partner have developed.
Who handles daily care? Who manages finances? Roles often feel assigned by nine months.
Talk about your parenting partnership. Have stereotypes crept in that don't fit your family — including two dads sharing everything?
Fatherhood's social role keeps evolving; gay fathers are part of that change.
Consider the work-family balance you want now.
For your baby
- Pat-a-cake. Name body parts.
- They may try feeding themselves.
For your partner
- Discuss how roles are evolving.
- Ask what your partner appreciates about you as a father.
For yourself
- Check in on health.
- Exercise with a friend once a month.
From Becoming a Dad: How Fatherhood Changes Men by Bruce Linton, Ph.D., MFT — practical tips from dads in Fathers' Forum groups.