How to Raise Tiny Humans Without Losing Your Mind⁠↗

There are many of you with kids younger than mine—dads who find themselves deep in what a close friend recently called The Tunnel: the place every parent remains whilst their kids are four and under; when keeping a small child alive and under control takes all that you have. Parents in The Tunnel can cycle through bliss and despair on a turnaround that would give non-parents whiplash.

Remember: “This too shall pass” There is no phrase that has become more dependable, has given me more relief, and has helped me weather even the most brutal storm than this one. With very few exceptions, your current battle will not be one you will keep fighting forever. There are times—sleep regressions my soul still bears the scars from, dinner battles that felt like Sisyphus was pushing rigatoni into a little mouth rather than rolling a giant boulder uphill—that this will feel far from the truth. But trust the process, hold your co-parent close, and remember: things will get better.

You’ll be eager for the next milestone without realising how much you’ll miss when you get there. You’ll want them to speak, then experience the gut-wrenching sadness when they stop saying that wrong phrase in the cute way they’ve always said it.

However long you think you need to do anything, double it. Whether it’s bathtime, bedtime, dinner time, getting out of the house, taking a walk, or colouring a Marvel PDF printout, I found that the majority of parenting stress comes from my kids not doing things according to my timetable. Whenever I can let go of this, I’m a better, happier dad.

Whatever you do, someone will tell you you’re doing it wrong. So do what is right for you, try to be conscious of what you let them watch and when, and search out chances to use screen time to help you forge deeper connections with your kids.