by Craig Buck

Created on: September 29, 2009   Last Updated: October 06, 2010

Being a dad doesn't automatically make you a better person. It takes a lot of hard work and dedication. Having a child is a life changing experience and its how you cope with this change that will decide if you become a better person or not.

Before your child is born, apart from your partner, your only real responsibility is for yourself. If you want to stay out late at night or go to a sports event over the weekend you can pretty much do this without much thought for anyone else. With parenthood however, you now have a dependant to consider in almost every decision you make.

Responsibility is one of the key factors when having a child. The ability to put this poor helpless human being before yourself is a great attribute but it doesn't always come naturally in all people. It can be a culture shock. The late nights out and the weekend sporting events should now be down to a minimum as you take your turn in caring for your child. If you take this responsibility seriously from the start, it will help you to form a great bond with your child which in my opinion will be everlasting. When my son and daughter were born, I wanted to help out with everything from bottle feeds to nappy changing. This gave me a great sense of satisfaction knowing that I was helping my children and at the same time, we were getting to know each other more as each day passed.

I found that once my children were born, I mellowed greatly. Things that used to bother me in the past were no longer important. My whole perspective on life had changed. I would do anything for my children, they were now my entire life and I was their guardian. Looking back now, I can see things that I changed, even though it wasn't obvious at the time. Things like driving under the speed limit so that I didn't put them in danger or walking closest to the road so that they didn't have to now make me see how selfless I had become.

I also believe that since my children have been born. I have become a more fun person. I can now share in their Christmases and reminisce about mine as a child which is a wonderful feeling. There is also no better feeling that taking a ball to the park and having a football session with my boy. This is another great way to bond and as it is getting us both exercise it is doubly effective.

Looking back now to how I was before my children were born compared to how I am now, I would say I'm a more loving, caring, responsible and fun person. On the other hand though, I do worry a lot more now. Every time they are out, I worry about them and also about their future, especially with the economy as it is today. In a strange way though, this is good worrying as I am thinking about protecting my children well into their adult life. Once you have children you never stop worrying about them as you always want what is best for them.

Having children can make or break you as a person. As I said in my introduction, if you are prepared to put the work in and love your children, in my opinion you can't fail to come out the other side as a better person. Take a look at yourself in the mirror. You might find you like the results!

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