Navigating the Sixth Month of Fatherhood

Hey Dad, welcome to the half-year mark! You're doing great, and now it's time to talk money (yikes!) and your baby's latest party tricks.

As you navigate the financial waters and witness your baby's rapid growth, remember to take a step back and enjoy these moments. It's not just about saving for the future but also savoring the now. Here's to another month of adventures, learning, and priceless memories!

Baby Development: The Half-Year Hoorah

While all babies age and do things differently, sitting up is a huge feat! It means they get to see the little knobs and funny-looking sharp doodads that are really, really shiny, and they just need to touch them for one second to see what it is… 

If you don't grab it because you see it's not harmful, know it will go directly into their mouth. 

Everything from this moment on will need to be tasted to see what it is. 

Even when you tell them not to stick it in their mouth, it will go into their mouth—so, now that your Lil' peanut is sitting up, there's a strange new world to be aware of.

Stranger Danger: Don't be surprised if your baby starts eyeing strangers like last week's leftovers. It's a normal phase called stranger anxiety.

This depends on your baby's personality and how you've handled people coming and going in Tiny Overlord's life. 

As it stands, each parent/couple does things how they feel comfortable and know how to. This doesn't mean your parenting style is wrong. It means that your baby may not be remotely afraid of strangers, and you'll have to figure out how to explain to them (especially when they start walking) that running off to someone waving candy at them is way different from waving at someone in the grocery store. 

Yes, that is scary, but it does happen. While the next few years will be keeping your eyes on your little guy or girl, having them be cautious isn't the worst thing in the world. 

On the flip side, if they are excited about seeing new people and experiencing new things, it's a fascinating insight into how your baby's personality will develop. If they are already perking up when you take them someplace new, they might be excited about traveling as they grow up.

Taste Test Time: Many parents start introducing solid foods around this time. Get ready for some epic facial expressions.

Testing solid foods is an interesting experiment in discovering what the Tiny Overlord deems worthy. (Note: solids do not mean raw veggies; they should be steamed or boiled.) I'll tell you right now: babies rarely enjoy anything green unless it's sweeter than strawberries. 

But if your baby does like vegetables, awesome! That is really exciting. 

For everyone else, adding their majesty Tiny Overlord foods to yogurt (plain or vanilla, preferably with no added sugars) will get them to eat their veggies and get them used to the taste of the vegetables. 

It takes 10 to 15 tries of food at different times before a human—any human, not just a baby—starts liking a food they may not have enjoyed before. While that's not true of every food, it's true for most. 

Remember, when feeding Lil' One, have a camera handy occasionally. Your face will perform contortions as wondrous and hilarious as your baby's when they don't like the taste. 

It's going to be a good time.

Dad’s Guide to Finances: Diapers Today, Diplomas Tomorrow

Start a 529 Savings Plan: It's like a lunchbox but for your kid's college fund. Navigating the financial waters as a new dad can be daunting, but it's crucial for your little one's future. Start by considering a 529 College Savings Plan. These plans offer tax advantages and are a great way to save for your child's education. Contributions to a 529 plan grow tax-free and can be withdrawn tax-free for qualified education expenses, including tuition, books, and room and board.

Budgeting for Baby: Don't forget the everyday budgeting. With new expenses like diapers, baby food, and childcare, it's essential to adjust your budget to accommodate these additional costs. This might mean cutting back on non-essential expenses or finding ways to increase your income.

The Baby Piggy Bank: If you're looking for alternative saving options for your child's future, you may want to consider opening a high-yield interest-rate account. While many banks do offer this feature, it's important to ensure that they are reputable and have a long-term commitment. Additionally, verifying that the bank is FDIC-insured is crucial, which provides a safety net for your long-term savings. In case of any unforeseen circumstances, your money will be secure for up to $250,000.

If the ideas above sound overwhelming, you're not alone. Make sure to tackle one at a time so there is less of a deluge pouring over your head and more of a trickle down your back (one that doesn't itch). 

Initially, it will feel like you're doing a lot, which can become daunting. But keep in the back of your mind that once the pieces are in place, you'll have to do minor maintenance instead of all the grunt work you had to do upfront.

Family Play Time: Bonding Bonanza

There's a dad on Instagram who does amazing tricks with his toddler, but the awesome thing is that they aren't really tricks. When he plays with his child, he spends time with the toddler, sharpens his motor skills, and teaches him that physical activities are fun. 

It's great to see. 

In one of the videos, the dad's back is to the son. The son has a laundry basket and runs to catch each ball the dad throws over his shoulder—obviously, your baby probably isn't ready to catch balls just yet. But there's a ton of activities you can do with your child that help them out three-fold. 

And all while helping your baby turn into a great human being.  

Story Time: Reading to your baby can be a magical experience. Watch their eyes light up with every page turn, even if they're more interested in eating the book.

This is a habit I truly endorse. Not only do you get to cuddle up with your baby every night before you read them a bedtime story (so warm and cozy), but you also, again, teach them about words, sounds, and pictures—every moment is a learning moment when you're a parent. 

Be forewarned: 

Your baby will may pick the same three books once they start choosing them. Your 6-month-old isn't old enough to choose yet, but it'll happen sooner than you realize. It's okay if you don't read The Shy Kitten for the 40th time in 20 days. Variety brings a bigger world to your child.

An infant will taste the book. Cardboard books will melt in their mouths. 

As your baby grows, they will want more stories—sadly, it's because they don't want to go to bed, so that's a double-edged sword, too. Technically, they want to spend time with you, but spending more time with you means they're not getting the rest their growing bodies need/deserve.

Keeping the bedtime rules and routine is a must for you but also your baby. The routine is put into place to give the Tiny Overlord a stable, solid foundation to grow. 

The Good News is that you can read to your child anytime. Plus, trips to the library are fantastic outings, even for a six-month-old. 

Sing-Along Sessions: Babies love music. Sing, dance, make up silly songs. Your voice is their favorite sound, even if you can't carry a tune in a bucket.

Music is wonderful! It's a great way to teach your child letters, numbers, the alphabet, and more. 

Studies have shown that singing about bedtime, potty time, cleaning up, and more helps babies learn easier, too. 

Plus, songs bring laughter and bonding together. 

Nature Walks: Take your baby out for strolls in the park. Fresh air, new sights, and sounds – it's a sensory delight for them.

If you're really into the outdoors, you probably already know about the backpacks/carriers you can take a baby in. Safety on the carriers is generally six months and up. But once they hit that mark, you can take the Tiny Overlord to many fantastic places while you and your partner enjoy the outdoors at your own pace. 

Pro Tips

• Baby-Proofing 2.0: With increased mobility, it’s time to double-check those safety locks and gates.

• Solid Food Adventures: Start slow with solids and watch for allergies.

• Capture the Moments: They grow up fast, so taking those pictures.

This Week’s Dad Joke:

Why don't parents ever play hide and seek with money? Because it's always hidden in the kids' expenses!

As you navigate the financial waters and witness your baby's rapid growth, remember to take a step back and enjoy these moments. It’s not just about saving for the future but also savoring the now. Here’s to another month of adventures, learning, and priceless memories!

Further reading: Long-term Savings for the Little One

If you find this helpful, don't forget to share this with other dads.

Disclaimer
_{Always check with your partner and or pediatrician before implementing any new practices that involve your children. The information provided is meant for educational purposes. Please do your own research as I have provided my own thoughts, experience, and perspectives on the matter at hand.}