Why I Love Being a Father – My Thoughts After 5 Days

I’m lying on the sofa, Cleo on my chest. She’s asleep, her little arms stretched out to the side around my chest, her head turned to the side, her eyes gently closed, and her mouth slightly open. I hear her rhythmic breathing—and now and then, a sweet sigh or a tiny squeak. I’m in love—and enchanted by the beauty of this moment, by Cleo’s soft little cheeks, and by her peaceful face, which I want to kiss again and again.

On February 14, 2025, I became the father of Cleo Alba. After five days, Marie and I finally took the time for journaling, and I decided to try to put into words what makes being a father so wonderful.

A Little Miracle

Cleo is incredibly sweet (and I suppose that’s true for newborns in general, especially one’s own). I think the experience has something of the cuteness of a puppy, yet it’s different—because Cleo is a human, because we’re related, because she’s even more helpless than a puppy, and because she has so much more “potential”: Our child will, hopefully, have a long life ahead of her, with endless possibilities. And there’s a high chance that we will spend the rest of our lives with her.

A Long-Term Project

Raising a child is a long-term project. It’s like taking care of a plant—only much more intense. This task is the clear focus and the highest priority. The point about priority is important. Because it is the priority, it’s not hard to get up at night and change diapers. There is nothing more important to do, and these things are simply part of the process.

Self-Efficacy

This little being needs me. I’m useful. I can help, support, and contribute. That gives me a strong sense of self-efficacy. And I’m proud that I can stay calm and act appropriately when Cleo sometimes screams at the top of her lungs.

Besides, thanks to Cleo, I’ve been able to learn many new skills and gain new experiences: During the pregnancy, I bought a drill and mounted a mirror, a whiteboard, and lamps, organized and carried out the transport of a cupboard for the nursery, rented a car, and much more. And in the past week since her birth, I’ve learned, for example, how to lift a baby properly, help her burp, dress and undress her, change diapers, and tie a baby wrap. These routines already feel quite natural. Lastly, there were some bureaucratic and medical “experiences,” but I’ll spare you those for now.

Social Recognition

I’m proud to have become a father. There’s also a social component to it: Ever since I shared the news that Marie was pregnant, I’ve received a lot of recognition for it. People congratulate me, ask about Marie and the baby, and share in our excitement. And they think I look cute with the baby.

Life in My Child’s Eyes

Sometimes, when I look into my baby’s eyes, I see all of life. I let go of small everyday problems and step into a much larger perspective. I see that Cleo might one day have children of her own (all the eggs she will ever have are already inside her). Maybe she will one day be a grandmother or even a great-grandmother. And one day, she will die. What a miracle.

And we, too, are in the middle of this process of life, meeting each other in this exact moment. And not just us—billions of people and countless other living beings are going through these life cycles. Wow. Crazy. Wonderful.

These were a few reflections on why I find it so beautiful to be a father. But I didn’t quite manage to put the magic of fatherhood into words. And I suspect that’s impossible. Still, maybe there will be a follow-up post at some point with new thoughts.