Spotting the First Time Dad Game

First time dads are special. You can always spot them.

First you have to spot the pregnant lady. Once you've zeroed in on the waddling belly that is every late second to third trimester prego lady, you can check out the guy next to her.

Now an experienced dad may be looking around, maybe enjoying his coffee. Maybe he's window shopping while his partner is grunting her way across the sidewalk. Dad may be herding a toddler. This last bit is a dead giveaway, obviously. However if the couple is by themselves, an experienced dad will be obvious because he won't be so attached to his partner.

Yes it's true that pregnancy brings out a sort of protective tendency in most people, regardless of their connection to the unborn. That said, first time dads are more protective than anyone else in the room. A first time dad will always hold his hand at the small of his partner's back while she walks within arm's reach, or through a doorway, or anything that might potentially cause her to stumble or otherwise be difficult for her to navigate (like weaving through chairs at a restaurant or through a crowded room).

First time dads are also super concerned about what their prego partner is eating. They may even alter their eating habits in order to ensure their pregnant partner is eating the right stuff (i.e. no more soft cheeses, no more lunch meat, no more candy!).

Some first time dads are so excited about baby stuff, they'll actually respond more to young children than they did before their partner was pregnant. Of course, this won't be detectable to someone who isn't close to the couple, but for those of us up close and personal with the dad-to-be, we'll notice how much of a softie he's become.

Of course, I'm talking about first time dads who are *excited* about their expected babies. There are some men who would rather hide at a dive bar or get their crazies out before the kid arrives, because well, these guys really aren't quite ready to be dads. These guys who aren't ready aren't particularly indistinguishable from your average douchebag. If you do run into one of them, they'll probably just make you angry or upset. It's better to just stick to spotting excited first time dads - the men who have accepted their role and responsibility in caring for an eagerly anticipated tiny person.

I have to say, every time I spot a protective first time dad, it puts a smile on my face. Whatever problems or issues the couple might have, that man wants to do right. He wants to be in that little person's life and he's trying to do what he can to support his partner. I can tell he'll be in the birthing room doing whatever he can to help his partner navigate childbirth, and he'll be there changing diapers and waking up in the middle of the night soothing his baby. And that is beautiful.