1. How did you prepare for fatherhood?

Both my wife and I prepared ourselves by saving money before we decided on starting a family. And we did manage to save above our initial budget when Gemma came into our lives! Besides that, nothing can ever prepare you for parenthood, because every baby is different. We just needed to take it as it comes!

2. What has been the most unexpected thing you’ve faced so far?

The amount of sleep that I can get in at night during the first few months after we took her home from the hospital was quite unexpected! On good days, I had a max of two hours of uninterrupted sleep. On bad days I had none.

3. What has been the toughest thing you’ve faced so far?

Besides sleep, I think the diaper duty is slowly getting to me! Previously, I was doing the morning show on the radio before Gemma turned a month old! I would be such a grouch on air with close to no sleep every night, and then having to wake up so early to get to work! However, life has been good since switching over to the evening show (GET OUT WITH GERALD & KIM WITH MAYA, Weekdays 5pm – 8pm), where I get to spend more time with the new baby.

4. What does your day-to-day look like now? How has life changed after being a father?

My wife and I synced our calendars on our phones to know each other’s day-to-day work schedules so that we can plan who is responsible for which duties the next day. It could be me waking up earlier to prep for the food because she has a meeting at 9am? We’re each other’s cover!

5. Is it difficult to juggle work with fatherhood?

I’ve been very blessed. As I mentioned, previously I was doing the morning show and it was difficult to get any sleep or spend time with the baby. However, doing the evening show has helped a lot because I get to spend quality time with the baby now.

6. What parenting style do you believe in? What parenting style does your wife believe in?

I’m not sure if we’ve gotten there yet because Gemma is still just 10 months old and may not even understand if we were to say no to something that she has done wrong. But I am quite firm with the idea of having my child be disciplined by me and not anyone else. I’m sure the same goes for my wife too. But we plan to take on the good-cop-bad-cop approach

7. How are you splitting parenthood duties with your wife?

We don’t split duties. We try to do it together to the best of our abilities. For example, we bathe and change the baby together. But of course, if one of us is busy with something else, we are each other’s cover.

8. Has your temperament changed after becoming a father? (ie becoming more patient, more anxious, etc)

I’m still pretty much the same. But I think I’ve never given so much focus and attention to anything before in my life. Now, my baby comes first!

9. What’s the best thing about being a father?

To come home and see a wide grin on Gemma’s face, and then have her legs flutter uncontrollably after I carry her out of her playpen – that is the best feeling in the world. I’m even getting a little emotional typing this!

10. What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given?

To not listen to anyone’s parenting advice. You do you. You know what is best for your child.

11. What resources or tools have helped you the most in your journey?

Google is my best friend. It tells me everything from what happens if my baby doesn’t poop the number of times she should, to the best way to cradle your baby to sleep. And also friends with recent experiences with their own babies.

By Cherie Foo.

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