Happy Friday,

Thanks to everyone who took the time to vote on Wednesday. Looks like the consensus is that my daughter will be walking before her first birthday. I’ll keep y’all updated!

Thinking back over the past year, it’s funny how your key concerns and focus change. One day you’re worried what poop looks like, another you’re struggling with baby proofing, and another you’re worried your baby isn’t hitting milestones quickly enough. What are some of the key questions you were focused on over the first few years of being a parent?

Hit reply and let me know!

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One Big Idea

How Paternity Leave Helps Dads’ Brains Adapt to Parenting

Let's dive into something that's changing the game for modern dads: paternity leave. It's not just a few extra weeks off work; it's a crucial time for dads to tune into their new role, and guess what? It's all backed by science.

When a dad takes paternity leave, it's not just about helping out at home or getting to know their newborn. This time actually has a profound impact on a father's brain. Research shows that during these early days of fatherhood, a dad's brain is busy adapting and growing, similar to what happens in moms' brains. This period is crucial for developing what we might call the 'dad instincts'. In fact, one researcher said, “fathers are made, not born: time with infants is a key ingredient in building the fathering brain.” This time is where the brain fine-tunes itself to understand and respond to your baby's needs better. Think of it as your brain gearing up for the long, journey of parenthood.

But here's the really interesting part: the more active and engaged a dad is during this time, the stronger these changes in the brain. It's like any skill - the more you practice, the better you get. Changing diapers, soothing cries, and those middle-of-the-night feedings are actually building a dad's ability to be more empathetic, patient, and responsive. So, dads or dads to be, when you're on paternity leave, remember you're doing more than just lending a hand. You're laying down the neural groundwork to be an amazing parent. It's an investment in your family and yourself, shaping you into the dad you're meant to be.

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Tip of the Day

• Time for a bath: I now realize that I should be doing this more often. Here are 5 ways to properly clean your kid’s bath toys

Here’s a dad joke

What do you call a bear with no teeth?

Scroll to the bottom of the newsletter for the answer!

Time(out) for Memes