To-Do List: Preparing to Become a Dad
Aug 8, 2017 · 2 min read

Becoming a parent can be one of the happiest moments of your life, but it can also be stressful and a little scary — even if it’s not your first child. In order to reduce stress and ensure that you can be as supportive to your partner as possible, here are some things you can do ahead of time to prepare for the arrival of your child.
Before the Delivery
- Take a childbirth class with your partner, and read parenting books
- Tour the hospital or facility where the birth will take place
- Identify the optimal route to the hospital, and ensure your gas tank is full
- Add the contact information for your pediatrician, obstetrician, and any other important individuals in your phone
- Coordinate with potential babysitters or family members to take care of your other children (if you have them) if you have to leave on short notice
- Fill out and submit paperwork: hospitals, doctors’ offices, insurance companies, and your employer have paperwork that often can be submitted (or at least filled out) in advance
Home and Auto
- Order any required furniture and other equipment, and prepare the nursery
- Purchase a car seat and install it in your vehicle (Pro tip: Many police and fire departments will help with this for free)
- Sign up for a service, such as Bonnie, that proactively monitors all of the baby stuff and other items in your house for recalls and other safety issues
- Prepare some meals in advance that can be frozen and stored for easy retrieval
- Ensure your home is safe for babies and small children
Finances & Employment
- Review your family budget, and update it to account for the new baby
- Ask your employer about its paternity leave policy, and coordinate with your managers and co-workers if you plan to take time off
- Ensure your insurance coverage is current and covers your whole family
- Consider meeting with a financial planner to discuss both daily finances as well as planning for your child’s future education expenses and your retirement
- Originally published at bonnie.ai on August 8, 2017.
