A Conversation with Tom, Snuggle Me Organic's Amazon Lead
Tom Johnson shares his perspective on being a hands on dad, finding his feet in the early months of parenthood, and the everyday moments that have shaped life with his daughter, Penny.
Fatherhood is made up of a thousand little moments. The bedtime routines, the early mornings, the days out and the small things that gradually become your own family traditions.
For Tom Johnson, Snuggle Me Organic's Amazon Lead and dad to his daughter, Penny, being a hands-on father means being part of all of it. From taking Penny out for the day on his own to sharing the challenges of those early months with his wife, Fi, he has been finding his own rhythm as a dad.
Yet even something as ordinary as a trip to the zoo can come with an unexpected reminder that perceptions of fatherhood are not always keeping pace with reality.
We spoke to Tom about what being a dad means to him, the realities of those first few months and the moments he treasures most.
Being a dad, in the everyday moments
What does being an involved dad look like for you in everyday life?
For me, it's about being hands-on and involved in the everyday things, not just the big moments. I make sure I'm the one putting Penny to bed three or four nights a week. It's about being present, sharing the responsibilities and building that relationship with her from the beginning.
You mentioned taking Penny out on your own. What's that experience been like?
At weekends, I take Penny to places like the zoo or soft play on my own, and people are often a bit surprised to see a dad doing it solo.
It's something that has stayed with me. I'm just taking my daughter out for the day, but it seems to challenge what some people expect a dad to be doing. For me, it's just part of being her dad.
What does being a dad mean to you personally?
It's the hardest job I've ever had, and the most rewarding. For me, it's about being a role model and helping Penny become a better version of me.
Finding your feet in those first few months
Take us back to the day Penny arrived. What do you remember most?
I remember having Penny skin-to-skin on me for the first time. And then getting home, when it's just the three of you and it suddenly hits you: we're on our own now.
It was overwhelming. You go from being in hospital, with people around to help, to being at home and figuring it all out together.
What was the biggest challenge in those early weeks?
The sleep, without question. It's a rollercoaster. What got us through was treating it as a team. I would stay up late with Penny so Fi could get some proper rest.
How did you and Fi share the responsibilities?
Fi was breastfeeding, so I focused on everything around the feeds: burping, settling Penny and getting her back down in her bassinet. When Fi had a weekend away, I moved Penny onto formula. I was nervous about how it would go, but it worked out.
You learn as you go. Things can feel daunting when you're doing them for the first time, but sometimes you just have to give yourself the chance to figure it out.
What do you think mattered most when it came to supporting Fi?
For me, it was less about the individual tasks and more about being there. Reassuring her and being someone she knew wouldn't judge her. I was working from home, so I was physically around, and I think that helped those early weeks feel less lonely for her.
The little things that become your own
Is there a little ritual that's just yours and Penny's?
Her wardrobe! We pick her outfits together and turn it into a little fashion show. It's our thing. It's lovely having those little moments that are just yours. They might seem small, but they're the things you end up remembering.
What would you say to a new dad finding his feet?
Take every bit of help that's offered. If Grandma says she'll have the baby for an hour, say yes. That hour gives you your head back.
And it does get easier. The first nine months were tough for us, but when Penny started sleeping through, everything changed. Every baby is different, and everyone's experience is different, but you do find your way through it.
Showing up, one day at a time
For Tom, being a dad is not defined by one big moment. It is in the everyday routines, the days out with Penny, the support he gives Fi and the little traditions that are becoming their own.
His story is a reminder that fatherhood can look like many things, and that being present is not about getting everything right. It is about finding your feet, sharing the responsibilities and building a relationship with your child in your own way.
Thank you to Tom for sharing his experience with us.
For more support and reassurance during the early weeks of parenthood, read our guide to Navigating the Fourth Trimester.
