First-time Dads

Nashauna Drummond, Acting Lifestyle Editor

Scores of fathers will, for the first time, celebrate Father's Day today. To these first-time dads, the Outlook team says a very Happy Father's Day.

When
you become a parent, it is an amazing feeling and your life is
immediately transformed. There is no manual on parenting and so we all
have to learn in our own way. Today, these first-time father's share the
lessons and experiences of exactly what fatherhood has taught them so
far.

Contributed Photos

• Lamont Savory, musician, C-Sharp band

The first time I felt her in my arms, it was like a dream. I have always wanted to be a father, and every time I have to wake up at 3 in the morning, or change her, I know it's real. But then, after that, I forget that she had me up at 3. She has changed me a lot. I have become more sentimental, more patient in all aspects of my life. When I have to leave and travel for work, it's so hard, but we Skype a lot. When she sees me on the computer screen and she jumps up and starts banging on the keyboard, that's an indescribable feeling - its overwhelming.

My wife say's I'm overprotective, but I don't think I am. But then I think, 'Isn't that what being a parent is supposed to be about? Protecting her?'

• Machel Witter, social media agent, Digicel

Fatherhood has taught me to be more focused on the future because her mother and I want the very best for her. Even at her young age, Maja's personality is infectious - she makes the toughest day great. Her little laugh or her saying "dadda" and running to meet me when I get home at nights, just makes me so happy. She is so smart ... to see her be able to find her favourite app on my iPad is just amazing - so you can see that she has a very bright future ahead.

• Mikhail Francis, business analyst, Digicel

Fatherhood has taught me the importance of putting first things first! Never take for granted the gifts that God has placed in your life. It has defined the true meaning of unconditional love. To make sacrifices, to reprimand with tender care, and to nurture with love and affection. It is indeed the most rewarding experience!

• Rohan Walker, internal auditor

To have responsibility
for and to make life decisions for one of God's creations is really an
awesome privilege. Before and after Joanna's birth, it became abundantly
clear that parenthood is, at the very least, a two-person job,
definitely not just one.

Being a father has made me so
much more appreciative of my own father and the role he played in our
lives growing up. My main regret is not expressing to him how much he
meant to me more often. But seeing I still have my mom, I love you
dearly!

Now that I am a dad, I am even more aware of
the decisions my wife and I make and how they affect not just one or the
two of us, but now, the three of us. It is truly humbling to know that
she is so dependent on me to make good life decisions. And for this, I
need the support of my wife ... love you, Mrs T Walker. I have also
learnt to always give God thanks.

• Jermaine
  Saunder, urban planner, Japanese International Corporate
  Agency

Being a father for only seven weeks now, I
guess the lifelong lessons from this new and exciting experience are yet
to be learnt. However, the preparation for the arrival of the baby and
the activities immediately after birth have taught me to be selfless in
every way and to adjust my lifestyle and activity schedule totally
around her needs. Her immediate needs of feeding, changing and bonding
time are not set, so I had to learn to pay attention to details and try
to figure out what is wrong when she is crying or when she is restless.
She is delicate, so I have learnt to pay more attention in every way and
to be gentle, even though my wife disagrees that I have the soft touch.
Haley has taught me how to care when you have someone who is totally
dependent on you. This is the first newborn baby I have ever held, so I
have learnt to overcome the fear I had of them being hurt in my
care.

This is just the beginning and I look forward to
more lessons that will be learnt, and I look forward to moulding
her.