Advantages of Becoming A First-Time Dad in My 30s

My first child was born just two days after my 35^th birthday. Did I plan to become a new father only at this age? Well, not exactly. But I’m glad to be a first-time dad in my 30s.

Truth be told, there’s a small downside to it. I’m not that fit anymore compared to my 20-ish self. Back then, it would’ve been easier to keep up with a toddler. Now, I can only wish for more energy to chase around my son the entire day.

But other than that, there are many reasons to be happy about experiencing fatherhood at my age. If you’re a bloke pondering when to have a kid of your own, I urge you to read on. These are the advantages of becoming a first-time dad in my 30s.

I Can Look Back on My 20s Smiling.

You can hear many parents say, “I should’ve done this first before having a child,” or “I regret not enjoying my single life.” We can’t fault them for saying so because parenting is a huge responsibility. Becoming a dad means losing time to do many things you enjoy, and I experienced that myself. The only difference is that I didn’t have any regrets.

That’s because I was able to enjoy the entirety of my 20s and half of my 30s. Not to the fullest, mind you. Like most single Filipinos in the working class, I had to contribute whatever I can to my family. But I was able to travel, hang out with friends, play sports, go to the gym, read books, and try different hobbies.

I was able to enjoy this period of my life without a big responsibility. That’s why when the time came for me to have a child, I was able to embrace fatherhood without any reservations.

More Wisdom and Maturity are at Hand.

Another advantage of becoming a first-time dad in my 30s is having more wisdom and maturity. Although that nothing can indeed prepare you to become a dad, at least I had 8 to 10 years’ worth of life experience and knowledge before I dove into fatherhood.

If I’ve been a dad in my 20s, I’d be dealing with my immaturity, recklessness, and ignorance whilst taking care of a kid. I would’ve probably left all responsibilities to my wife or parents. Ok, maybe not all. But I’m sure I’d been a burden most of the time, and that’s something I would truly regret.

First-Time Dad with Better Financial Standing

I would’ve loved to say that now in my mid-30s, I have big savings in the bank and a diversified portfolio of investments. No, I don’t have any of those yet. As I mentioned earlier, I enjoyed my single life to the fullest, which entailed spending most of my money.

Still, I am in better financial standing, and that’s because I have almost two decades of work experience. As a work-from-home dad, I can now demand a higher salary and my earnings fit the financial requirements of a small family nicely. I don’t think I can say the same five to ten years earlier, more so during the years when I’m living off an entry-level salary.

I also learned to save an emergency fund, get life insurance, and generate some passive income. All of these, in my opinion, are a must if you’ve become a dad.

I Can Focus on Being the Best Father I Can Be

This is perhaps the best benefit of becoming a first-time father in my 30s. Because I’ve completely moved on from my single life, I have more life experience and wisdom and better finances; I can direct my attention to becoming the best dad I can be. I’m a present father who actively participates in my kid’s life, and this is something I’m very proud of.

Needless to say, it’s a blessing to become a dad, however young or old you might be. Not everyone is handed this gift, so I treasure fatherhood every day and give my best effort at everything. With my wife, I’m confident that we’ll give our kid the best life he deserves.

Share Your First-Time Dad Experiences

How about you? How old were you when you became a dad, and how did it affect you as a new father? I’d like to know about your experiences as a first-time dad, so don’t hesitate to leave a comment.