12 Life Skills You Need to Call Yourself a Man

4. Calm a Crying Baby

At some point in your life, should you so choose, you are likely going to become a father. While there is the perception that caring for children should be a woman’s job, there is a lot to be said for a man who can calm a crying baby with his mere presence. So how do you pull it off?

First off all you need to approach that baby with patience and understanding that while you may see a senseless temper tantrum, that baby is indeed in distress and has a reason for crying.

Pick the poor kiddo up and hold them close to your chest. Your body heat and the rhythm of your heartbeat are immediate calming sensations for the baby and reminds them of being in the womb.

From there, just use gentle rocking motions from side to side as you slowly move about the room. Don’t be a cheat and sit down in a rocking chair, keep that baby mobile! As you move about the room, speak in a low, bass voice and just tell them a story. It doesn’t have to make any sense, so tell them a fairy tale, tell them about your day, but just remember that delivery is more important than content.

If none of that works, don’t be discouraged. That kid is likely looking for something that you cannot physically provide to them, nutrition if you catch the drift.