1) There will be more periods without sex - sometimes quite long - but that's perfectly fine. The sooner you accept this, the better. It's probably better to appreciate other nice aspects of life more and treat sex like a bonus rather than a part of the package. Things can change for the better or not, just stop expecting anything.
2) Don't bend over backwards and be too harsh on yourself and your partner. All parents face similar struggles and there is no panacea. Be more forgiving rather than try to set unrealistic goals.
3) Don't allow yourself to be guilt tripped by anyone: your friends, your partner, your kid, your parents. It's already hard to be a good parent, adding guilt is completely useless.
4) Try to have fun. Your partner and her friends may mock you and Peter-Pan you, but it doesn't matter at all. The more fun you have with your kid, the better for them (and for you). The kind of bond created by enjoying things together lasts for decades. It will be something your kid will remember at your funeral.
5) Did I mention you should be very forgiving to your partner? Every hardship you go through, she undergoes too, and possibly in a more intensive way. And especially at the beginning she is more exhausted because of birth, breastfeeding, hormones and so on. If you have any extra energy left, give it to her. Let her feel loved. Many marriages/partnership fall apart when the child is born - if you manage to get through this difficult period, everything will be much easier.
6) If the kid is old enough to understand, explain things to them, don't treat them as an idiot. You don't need to go into details, but don't invent things. Of course when they need a fairytale, give it to them, but when they actually start asking things about the world, you need to give them satisfying answers.
7) Not knowing something is not a problem (see "We Have no Idea" on how presenting things we do not know can be very entertaining and how much you can learn from it).
8) Did I mention you should be kind to your partner? If you actually love each other, all arguments will be short and the kid will grow in a safe environment. (They will also save a lot on therapy.)
Dont agree on the sex part - its a receipe for growing apart with your spouse. Talk to her, dont force it. Cuddle and love her in general. She'll discover soon that the wish is mutual :)
2) Don't bend over backwards and be too harsh on yourself and your partner. All parents face similar struggles and there is no panacea. Be more forgiving rather than try to set unrealistic goals.
3) Don't allow yourself to be guilt tripped by anyone: your friends, your partner, your kid, your parents. It's already hard to be a good parent, adding guilt is completely useless.
4) Try to have fun. Your partner and her friends may mock you and Peter-Pan you, but it doesn't matter at all. The more fun you have with your kid, the better for them (and for you). The kind of bond created by enjoying things together lasts for decades. It will be something your kid will remember at your funeral.
5) Did I mention you should be very forgiving to your partner? Every hardship you go through, she undergoes too, and possibly in a more intensive way. And especially at the beginning she is more exhausted because of birth, breastfeeding, hormones and so on. If you have any extra energy left, give it to her. Let her feel loved. Many marriages/partnership fall apart when the child is born - if you manage to get through this difficult period, everything will be much easier.
6) If the kid is old enough to understand, explain things to them, don't treat them as an idiot. You don't need to go into details, but don't invent things. Of course when they need a fairytale, give it to them, but when they actually start asking things about the world, you need to give them satisfying answers.
7) Not knowing something is not a problem (see "We Have no Idea" on how presenting things we do not know can be very entertaining and how much you can learn from it).
8) Did I mention you should be kind to your partner? If you actually love each other, all arguments will be short and the kid will grow in a safe environment. (They will also save a lot on therapy.)