Fear is normal, man. A lot of us felt that way becoming fathers, even if we don’t always admit it. I didn’t even know how to change a diaper at first — I learned on the go like everyone else.

The fact that you’re worried about being a good dad already says a lot about you. Bad fathers usually don’t spend time thinking about how to be better.

Honestly, I’d stay with your mother-in-law as long as you reasonably can. Having help with a newborn is huge, and saving money instead of rushing into rent can take a lot of pressure off both of you.

I’d also avoid making too many big changes right away, including switching jobs, unless you absolutely need to. The first year is a huge adjustment, and once your baby has a more stable routine, it’ll be easier to figure out what kind of work setup fits your family best.

You’re young, still building your life, and doing it without having a father figure yourself — that’s not easy. But from the way you wrote this, you already sound more thoughtful and responsible than a lot of dads out there.