By our awesome Adelad Jarrod Walsh
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My life is about to change forever. In around four weeks, give or take – I am going to be a dad for the first time. I have so many questions! Here are a few:
Will I still get time to play video games?
How will I break this to my gorgeous dog child?
Is my social life ruined?
Do I have to start researching Peppa Pig?
I don’t have to take down my sports jerseys that are hanging in the nursey….do I?
All legitimate questions I believe.
This whole process of impending fatherhood has been really different. A lot of the time I have simply felt useless, as I obviously am not the one carrying the child. So my role has been talking to my wife about how she is feeling, looking at baby stuff and dealing with some mood swings which have been extremely rare*
The pre-natal classes were full on with our Midwife holding up what looked like a chopstick to bring on the breaking of the waters if it doesn’t happen naturally, or if the oriental device didn’t work – a claw thimble apparatus. I definitely struggled to perfectly wrap our little toy baby, and I consistently giggled when the technical terms for genitalia were mentioned. Not to mention when the midwife swung her fingers in the air to show us how she checks the ‘ripening’ of the cervix…
Your life is going to change forever. The most repeated sentence over the past 8 months from every parent I know. Some other beauties have been Say goodbye to sleep, Wow – this will be a huge test for you oh and Jesus! Bye bye social life. To be honest, I love all the comments my wife and I have received, because it not only shows people care, but they are also trying to help. But continuing this honesty, I haven’t listened to much of it.
The best bit of advice was co-incidentally given on the launch of Adelady at The Gallery on Waymouth. The lovely Kate Collins, newsreader for Channel 9 said, with her Ron Burgundy style delivery ‘The next few weeks are so important for you and Gabs to do things you love. Connect with one another again. And enjoy every moment’. Brilliant advice from a brilliant person.
As a rule, I am a control freak. I stress about the most minimal things, and I let this stress turn into anxiety. But for some reason, I haven’t stressed about our little human and her impending arrival. I feel it’s a sign that it’s going to be ok. And you know why I know this? Because we are surrounded by an amazing family, the best friends anyone could ask for and a wider support network that would do anything for us.
As scary, overwhelming and nerve wracking the next few weeks, months, years/life will be – it is a challenge I am excited, and prepared for.
And bring on the dad advice, help a brother out!
* Mood swings occurred every hour.
Jarrod x
Follow Jarrod on social:
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Jarrod Walsh is the voice of Adelaide. Not only can he be heard every afternoon on Nova 919, but he fills the rest of his spare time MC’ing events all across South Australia.
Headlining the game day entertaining at Port Adelaide FC, Adelaide United, Adelaide Strikers, Adelaide 36ers and numerous International Events such as Socceroos, International Cricket matches – it’s safe to say he is a sports nut.
A fitness fanatic, he is always doing something active during the day and is extremely passionate about health and fitness. He is currently an ambassador for Orangetheory Fitness. Away from the microphone, he is married with a child on the way. He has a Golden Retriever who he adores and lives in Largs Bay.
