By Peter Clemens
I found out I was going to be a dad on my 24th birthday. At the time this is the last thing in the world that I wanted. Despite being in a loving relationship, I did not want a kid because I felt too young, I didn’t want the financial burden and I wanted to do more travel.
At the time of writing this, my son Xavier is 8 weeks old. I can honestly say there has not been a bigger moment in my life than seeing my son for the first time. He is an absolute joy, and seeing his smiling face can wipe away the worries of the world in an instant.
Sometime during the pregnancy my thoughts about the impending baby underwent a paradigm shift. If I was to pinpoint a particular moment, it would be when a close friend said to me: “why can’t you have a baby and still be financially successful and travel the world?”
That question triggered something inside my head. “Why not?” I asked myself.
As I began to believe that these goals were still possible my attitude changed. I chose to be excited about becoming a dad and my negative thoughts disappeared. This excitement was only to grow as the months rolled on – what an incredible feeling when I felt the little fella kick for the first time and at the ultrasound when we saw a 3D image of him and found out our baby was going to be a boy.
When Xavier was finally born (he came 2 weeks late) it was the most nervewracking, exciting and joyous moment of my life. Thinking about it, I have Xavier to thank for the creation of this blog. When I realised that I would have to care for, and be a model to, another human being I truly wanted to be the best person I possibly could.
Are you a parent? How did it change your life? I would love to hear your stories below.
The Blogging Blog
Can you tell me how and what is your plan to achieve what you want to do financially and have kid at the same time? I kinda am in the similar situation but my negative thought won’t go away IF I cannot lay out a plan
Peter,
Just your title alone gave me goose pimples. I have a similar story to yours but with a added twist. I am 36 y\o and have been a single father for 11 years now. I have 2 boys ages 15 and 12, so I started off young like you. Your blog inspired me to think back and remember all the good and bad times I have had rasing my 2 boys essentially on my own for the past 11 years. Imagine the stories I have becoming a young Dad as well as becoming a very young single Dad. I don’t write much, but I have descided today because of your blog to write a book about my experiences bringing up 2 boys from age 25 on my own. Thank you Peter.