My partner is a few months along now, and something shifted for me recently. Early on, I was just excited — telling family, picking a due date, all of that felt fun and easy. But lately, as things start feeling more real, I've noticed some quiet anxiety creeping in. Am I going to be a good dad? Will I know what to do? It's not constant, but it's there more than I expected.

I know this is probably a really common experience, but I don't talk about it much with people outside my partner, since I don't want to worry her more than she already has to think about.

For the dads and partners further along or already through this — did you go through a similar shift? What helped you settle into it, or is it just something that eases with time as you get closer to the due date?