You might feel conflicted as you approach meeting your child, particularly if you’ve secretly hoped for a different gender. You may be perplexed or even let down by this. Recognize that these feelings are typical. They don’t imply that you won’t love your child or that you’re a bad father.
How do you deal with these emotions?
- Admit your feelings honestly and guilt-free.
- Discuss them honestly, and if it feels appropriate, share them with your significant other.
- Consider your expectations: Did you have a specific image or concept in mind that made you hope for a boy or girl?
Keep in mind that your child will provide you with a special form of love and purpose, regardless of their gender. Many fathers claim that all of those thoughts vanished the moment they held their infant for the first time, to be replaced by an intense emotional connection.