Ep 35: Six Weeks From Fatherhood: Jesse Ganes on Becoming a Dad

A first-time dad six weeks from his due date opens up about what the third trimester really feels like. Tony Cooper sits down with Jesse Ganes to talk through the physical and emotional shifts of late pregnancy, the conversations he's having with friends and family about how life is about to change, and the parenting choices he and his wife Emma are making before their son even arrives. They cover screen time boundaries, the science behind a changing "dad brain," sleep deprivation, division of labor in parenting, and why protecting couple time now matters so much. Key TakeawaysScreen time boundaries are a conversation worth having before the baby arrives, not afterPregnancy changes what a couple can physically do together, and renegotiating that takes patienceA father's brain physically changes to respond differently to a baby's cry, according to research Jesse's been readingTelling friends without kids that the relationship will change, but won't end, sets healthier expectationsCommunity and local parent networks (including a "semi active" dad group) become a real resourceSleep deprivation is often less about the sleep loss itself and more about the judgment attached to itProtecting couple time during pregnancy builds the foundation for the family that's comingIf you enjoyed The Dad Manual, leave us a rating on your podcast app! If you loved it, share this episode with a Dad! Send your questions to dadmanualpodcast@gmail.com.Connect with Tony Cooper: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thetonycooper/00:00 Cold open00:29 Meet Jesse Ganes01:17 Six weeks from the due date02:10 What feels real right now03:04 Talking about screen time early05:16 Two becomes three06:08 What pregnancy changed physically09:49 Trusting your body through pregnancy11:06 Hormones and a happy pregnancy13:45 Getting his head around the change15:01 Talking to friends without kids17:42 Parenting in Brooklyn19:20 Finding the dad group20:38 The "Dad Brain" book22:41 Re-parenting yourself26:13 Learning not to lose it over messes28:15 Surviving on no sleep30:23 What's new this generation32:00 Filtering baby gear from noise33:31 Advice for a couple just starting out36:26 Closing thoughts