When you have a 10-month-old, you learn very quickly that plans aren’t written in stone, they are written in wet sand on a windy beach full of pebbles.
Today was meant to be Grandparents Babysitting Day 2. My wife is nearing the end of her 10-month maternity leave and was heading in for her second “Keep In Touch” (KIT) day at work, starting at 11:00 AM. (You can read about how Day 1 went with my parents here).
This time, my in-laws were scheduled to come to our house and hold down the fort. At 09:49 AM—just over an hour before my wife was due to walk out the door—the phone rang.
The 09:49 AM Emergency Call
My in-laws were about 30 minutes into their 40-minute drive to our house when they were involved in a car crash.
Everyone was fine. No major injuries. But their car was banged up, they weren’t sure if it was drivable, and they were stuck on the side of the road trying to process what had just happened.
I was at work, about 15 minutes away from home. I made a rapid decision:
- The In-Laws: Even with no physical injuries, a car crash triggers a massive adrenaline spike and emotional drain. Expecting them to handle a fussy baby while dealing with insurance companies, recovery trucks, and garages wasn’t realistic.
- My Wife: Returning to work after nearly 10 months off is a huge psychological milestone. Adding the stress of her parents crashing and childcare collapsing 60 minutes before her shift would have left her in no fit state to go in.
So, step up Dad. I had a quick chat with HR, packed my bag, and drove home.
By 10:15 AM, I was back through the front door. I took a deep breath, gave my wife a minute to process everything, reassured her that everyone was safe, and sent her off to work stress-free.
And just like that, the house went quiet. It was just me, a 10-month-old, and a 9-hour shift of solo dad duty.
5 Essential First Time Solo Dad Parenting Tips
If you’ve suddenly been thrown into the deep end and need some quick first time solo Dad parenting tips to survive your first big solo shift with a baby, here are the 5 rules I swore by today:
- Don’t Panic: Your baby picks up on your emotional state. Keep your voice calm, take a breather, and take it one hour at a time.
- Take Your Time: Don’t rush through feeding or nappy changes. If an routine task takes 15 minutes longer than usual, let it happen.
- Prep the Essentials Early: Make sure bottles are washed, formula/milk is ready, and snacks are placed within arm’s reach before you’re trapped under a sleeping baby.
- Protect the Routine: Stick to your regular nap and feeding times as closely as possible.
- Drop All Other Expectations: Don’t try to clean the house, respond to work emails, or fix up the garden. Your only job for the day is keeping the baby happy and safe. Go with the flow!
9 Hours Alone: Is Parenting Really Supposed to Be Hard?
I’ve spent plenty of time with my daughter, but I’d never done a full 9-hour solo stretch straight through like this.
People love to repeat that classic phrase: “Parenting shouldn’t be easy, and if it feels easy, you’re doing it wrong.” I hate that saying.
Parenting isn’t rocket science—it’s about predictability and awareness. So long as she gets her milk on demand, stays on her nap schedule, and gets enough engagement, she is an absolute joy to be around.
Our Daily Nap & Food Anchor:
• Nap 1: 10:30 AM – 11:30 AM
• Nap 2: 03:15 PM – 04:15 PM
• Bedtime: 08:15 PM – 08:30 PM
The Car Nap Mistake
We did hit one bump in the road during the afternoon. I decided to pop over to visit my mam for half an hour with the baby. On the way there, she drifted off in the car for 3 minutes. On the way back, she slept for 12 minutes.
That 15-minute car catnap made a decent dent into Nap 2.
I don’t know the exact science behind it, but a 15-minute shallow sleep in a moving car is nowhere near as good as a deep sleep in her dark bedroom. Because Nap 2 was shortened, she was a bit cranky by early evening. One of my biggest first time solo Dad parenting tips: protect the nursery naps at all costs!
My Favourite Part of the Day: The Dog Walk
Once Nap 2 was wrapped up, it was time for my favourite part of the day: the after-nap dog walk.
Before heading out, I smothered her in Factor 50 suncream and strapped on a sunhat with an under-chin strap (because without straps, that hat gets chucked on the floor every 2 minutes). Then, I pulled out our Ergobaby Embrace Baby Carrier. (I’ll publish a full review on that at some point!)
Side Note: Why You Need to Find a “Sling Library”
If you’re a dad who walks a dog, ditch the pram for short trips and get a sling. It’s well worth it.
When our daughter was a couple months old, we visited a local Sling Library. It sounds fancy, but it’s usually run by a woman with a small back room full of large plastic tubs containing different carriers, wraps, and slings.
For a small fee (I think we rented 2 carriers for 2 months for £35), you can try them all on, get proper instruction, and test them in the real world before dropping £60-£100+ on something you and your baby might hate.
YouTube videos are great, but when you’re staring at 4 different straps, 3 buckles, and too many toggles to count, having someone who has taught hundreds of other couples spend 20 minutes adjusting it specifically for your body frame is a amazing. Search for a Sling Library near you, it will save you a fortune in trial-and-error purchases!
The Happy Song Walk
We walked along the old shaded railway track near our house, right by the stream where our dog loves to splash around.
Walking down that trail with my dog trotting ahead, my daughter strapped to my chest humming along while I sang Imogen Heap’s “The Happy Song” for the 30th time, I realised something…
Childcare plan A collapsed. A car got written off. But getting to spend 9 unexpected hours bonding with my daughter on a Friday afternoon?
I couldn’t be more grateful that I got to be the one to step in.
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