What to Know About 50FS

Welcome to 50 Fathers Strong – the ultimate playbook for new dads stepping into the thrilling chaos of fatherhood for the first time!  At 50FS you’ll find down-to-earth wisdom, practical tips, unique hacks, and a hearty dose of humor to help you navigate the adventure of becoming a dad.  

We’re leveling the playing field of "parenting sites" traditionally aimed to women with content that’s as rugged as a father’s love and as real as those midnight diaper changes.

But what really sets 50FS apart from the other resources is we tackle the often-overlooked realities of first-time fatherhood. While traditional guides and parenting books cover the basics, this space is dedicated to exploring the less-talked-about aspects of fatherhood—the subtle challenges, unexpected turns, and how to handle the nuanced situations that aren’t found in any manual.  We dive into the everyday experiences that might seem too small to discuss but are deeply meaningful and real – the things that are left out of the books, leaving you wondering, “Why didn’t anyone tell me about this?!”  

The second thing that sets us apart is our focus on how you can support your wife. After all, she’s the one carrying the load (literally!) It’s easy to overlook this and take her for granted as you get caught up in the whirlwind of your life that’s about to radically change. One thing nobody prepares you for is that your partner will transition from the role of your significant other—the only role you’ve ever known her to play in your shared world—to the entirely new role of a mother. The dynamics of your relationship will shift, and it’s important to be ready for that.  I was about a year into it when it hit me that my wife had changed -- not just changed, but evolved into the role of an amazing mother.

The articles I will post are all the experiences I went through when I first became a father. I’m someone who pays attention to the little details that might seem insignificant, but over time, they add up to something big. (This is where the saying “the devil is in the details” comes from.   Ignore the details at your own peril!)  I journaled EVERYTHING, especially the nuanced “nobody told me this!” stuff – because that’s the kind of person I am.  I find this information to be extremely valuable, and as cheesy as it sounds, I wanted to share it because I truly think this information can be helpful.  It’s the kind of information I wished I had.

The final thing that sets this apart is that I’m about to have my second baby.  I’m about to go through it all again.  It will give me a chance to refine things even more from the experience of having my first, but even more importantly is I’m going to track everything from the first 24-38 hours and then from month one, to month two, to month three, and on and on.  I am going to categorize it by month so you can reference it easily.  And in real time.   We’ll cover everything from the 9-10 months leading up to the due date, to bringing your baby home and everything that happens from there on out.

P.S. Having started my own fatherhood journey at the ripe age of 50, I may show a little extra love on occasion to my fellow "old" dads. But don’t worry – the advice, support, and laughs here are for every new father, regardless of age. So, grab a cup of coffee (or whisky) and dive in.  You're among friends!

So, grab a cup of coffee (or a bottle, if you’re in the thick of the night shift: a bottle of milk... for your kid... not whiskey!), and dive into our treasure trove of helpful articles, hilarious anecdotes, and solid recommendations. Let’s embrace the chaos together and make the most of this wild, wonderful ride called fatherhood!