I suppose every person with functional testes counts as a "potential father." I didn't see the poll -- do you mean people with children on the way?
I raised three children. I don't have a lot of advice to offer because you make it up as you go. That happens because every child comes with a personality, as a unique individual. You need a lot of patience. Raising children takes up a lot of time and energy, so the more help you have from a spouse/partner and family the better. And you need to remember that you don't get to shape or coerce your child into something you want. They will have their own ideas.
My wife and I agreed on a few rules before we had our first child. We never hit our children for any reason, not even a spanking. We didn't raise our voices to them. We never forced them to do anything against their will except for a few cases of potentially serious injury or death.
My mother tried to frame mistakes I made in terms of the behavior rather than as something inherent to her kids. She would say "You did a wrong thing" rather than "You are a bad person." I tried to remember that with my own kids. Children make lots of mistakes and will try your patience as they get older, so you will have plenty of chances to hone your skills.
I raised three children. I don't have a lot of advice to offer because you make it up as you go. That happens because every child comes with a personality, as a unique individual. You need a lot of patience. Raising children takes up a lot of time and energy, so the more help you have from a spouse/partner and family the better. And you need to remember that you don't get to shape or coerce your child into something you want. They will have their own ideas.
My wife and I agreed on a few rules before we had our first child. We never hit our children for any reason, not even a spanking. We didn't raise our voices to them. We never forced them to do anything against their will except for a few cases of potentially serious injury or death.
My mother tried to frame mistakes I made in terms of the behavior rather than as something inherent to her kids. She would say "You did a wrong thing" rather than "You are a bad person." I tried to remember that with my own kids. Children make lots of mistakes and will try your patience as they get older, so you will have plenty of chances to hone your skills.