PRACTICALITIES YOU CAN HANDLE

BABY-PROOFING

Your baby will be crawling before you know it, and Mom will be happy you had the foresight to get the baby proofing done early. Put on the pool net, secure the plug covers, move cleaning materials and medicines to upper shelves, and get the baby gate ready. Some of these require money, so doing it early will ease the strain on your budget later.

STEP UP THE HOUSEHOLD CHORES

Your partner’s pregnancy literally gets in her way, and she doesn’t have the energy to clean and tidy like she did before. Offer to wash dishes, cook meals and try your best to at least tidy up after yourself.

CHANGE YOUR POLICIES

It’s time to alter your wills to include your baby, speak to your medical aid about adding a child, and think about a life insurance policy if you don’t already have one.

FIT THE CAR SEAT

There’s always the chance Baby might come early, so have his car seat ready and waiting securely in your car, at least two weeks before the due date.

LEARN HOW TO HANDLE THE PRAM

Even the latest designs can be tricky to assemble if you’ve never done it before, so work out how to get the pram up and going, and give Mom a demonstration, too.

READ THE BOOK SHE’S LEFT ON YOUR TABLE

... or at least a section of it, then talk about it with her. Your partner likely has piles of books and magazines that she’s poring over, so show an interest and get reading!

GO TO ANTENATAL

CLASSES WITH HER

This goes without saying – this is your baby too, after all. She wants to know you’re as clued up as she is, and you’re in this parenting journey together.