@LisaForteUK #2 it keeps my head in a safe place. I was in the military for 20 years & lost several friends in combat. The Chaplins i worked with taught me to talk to someone close as often as possible, hence my lady wife and her sitting me down & talking about anything... talk often
@LisaForteUK I have lost a close friend of40+ years 6 weeks ago & a friend of 10 years is in final stages of cancer as of this week.
What holds me together is my lady wife of 39 years...
The screaming, the crying & the wanting to break things comes & goes. She talks me down & holds me
“All Together Now” - The Beatles - Here is my Friday morning “One Minute Music Video” for this week. From the soundtrack of the movie “Yellow Submarine”, here is my version of this song from my favorite band.
Life's not a solo mission; it's a team sport. True growth happens when you step outside your usual circle and embrace new perspectives. Remember that childhood advice? It's still relevant. #Community#GrowthMindset#Teamwork
A father’s brain appears to undergo remarkable changes during the first six months after the arrival of a baby, according to new research.
Scientists followed 25 first time fathers and used brain scans to observe how their brains adapted during the first 24 weeks of parenthood. The results revealed noticeable changes in areas linked to attention, decision making, emotional processing, and motivation.
The changes did not happen all at once. During the first three months after birth, some brain regions became smaller, particularly those involved in attention and processing sensory information. While this may sound concerning, researchers say it is not a sign of damage. Instead, it may reflect the brain refining its networks and becoming more efficient as fathers adjust to the demands of caring for an infant.
As the months progressed, a different pattern emerged. Between three and six months after birth, certain areas of the brain began to increase in size. Among the most affected was the anterior cingulate cortex, a region that helps with focusing attention, anticipating needs, and managing multiple responsibilities. These are all abilities that become especially important during early parenthood.
Researchers also observed changes within the brain’s reward and emotional systems. Areas involved in dopamine regulation showed alterations, while stronger connections developed in the amygdala, a region associated with emotions and forming close attachments.
Taken together, the findings suggest that becoming a father may do more than influence behaviour. It appears to trigger physical changes in the brain that could help fathers connect with their children, respond to their needs, and strengthen parental bonds.
While scientists have long recognised that motherhood is associated with significant brain changes, this study adds to growing evidence that fathers experience their own neurological adaptations as they transition into parenthood.
Researchers are continuing to investigate how long these changes persist, but the study highlights how the arrival of a child may shape not only a baby’s development but also the brain of the parent.
The research was published in the journal Translational Psychiatry under the title The paternal brain: longitudinal insights into structural and functional plasticity and attachment over 24 weeks postpartum