New dads often feel unprepared for parenthood

A new study shows that many new fathers feel unprepared for parenthood, experiencing emotions like "dad guilt" and a sense of being a "passenger parent." This differs from previous findings that focused mainly on mothers' experiences. The research highlights that fathers often struggle with balancing work and family life, feeling guilty when they return to work early. Many dads reported feeling helpless during their partner's pregnancy and birth, which contributes to prolonged feelings of guilt. Unlike earlier studies, this research includes fathers with children up to eight years old, revealing that dad guilt can persist longer than previously thought. The study suggests that open communication and planning roles before the baby arrives can help alleviate some of these feelings.