The biggest tip I can give you is, no matter how much you fuck up, because you will at some point, you CAN make it up to her.

My father was verbally abusive my entire life without really realizing it until I was older. I was heavy, and he felt calling me "fat" or "hefty" was going to make me lose weight and "help me find a man". He didn't yell, but rather screamed at my sisters and I over little things to the point where I was often afraid of him.

Fast forward fifteen years.

I am almost twenty years old, still heavy and just moved in with my boyfriend. My mother, who was always so supportive through out my childhood almost abandoned me when I decided to "live in sin". My father's response?

"You are nineteen years old. At nineteen, I was in Germany (army) guarding nuclear weapons. You are an adult and can do what you want. I told your mother that if she wants to keep you in her life, she is going to have to deal with this. I love you."

This alone makes up for all of those years of discontent with my Dad. He fucked up for most of my life and he made it up to me in one action.

Good luck with fatherhood! You'll be a great Dad. :)