In some cases you can find a woman that wants to be with you, but you do your own separate thing if that makes sense. For instance, she can be on her phone but I can be playing my Switch or whatever and we just want each other's presence. Obviously you'll want to do things together, but it isn't all "stop playing games, stop watching anime, stop hanging with the boys". Those are toxic, stay away. Kids are the wild card, and a person without kids is definitely not ever prepared to have kids. Once a baby comes your house and lifestyle transforms for at least the next 5-8 years. You go out and do different things relevant to the baby rather than bars and concerts. If you both gotta work it gets real hard deciding on daycare or a nanny.
I'm a really good example of this. My last baby was 10 years ago and so was hers. Nurse said "dad go ahead and change the diaper" and I was like shit, the yellow straps go on the back right? Waking up every 30 minutes to 2 hours for changing or feeding. Things like SIDS is something to worry about, climate control (can't just leave it at 69f all night with fans on high), having all the baby stuff like bottles, formula, bassinet, crib, changing area, swings, play mats, diaper bags, car seats, stroller, bottle warmer, drying rack, bottle brushes, etc etc. We have lived an adult lifestyle outside of school and teaching older kids lessons of life ya know. Old enough to stay home, we could go out, play games into the night, annnd we're right back to can't do any of that again. Then you got people around you with no kids who don't understand it like my current boss messaging me on Teams at 7am "you on", or calling me 12 hours after the baby was born because he just doesn't get it. Luckily my close group of friends pretty much all helped me raise my boy when he was a baby so without kids they understand. "Wanna play some RL?" "Lemme get this baby stuff setup before we put him down" "You good man, go be a dad".
Kinda what I was getting at earlier by being older and more "ready", best advice I can give to a new parent. You're going to be tired and stressed the fuck out to your wits end. It's hard. Don't take that out on your baby. Keep the negative energy away and they will be more calm and relaxed. If you're changing the baby don't be making fast movements in anger like "god kid I just changed you" or whatever. I am way happier this time than I was last time, and I can finally enjoy having a baby and same for her. It shows in how relaxed the kid is. Last night at 3am (mind you I was up 24 hours for delivery and after) I was making a bottle, reach over and knock the open bottle over spilling fresh formula and water all over the counter. 10 years ago? Woulda been cussing about how much money I just wasted. This time I just said fuck and laughed it off. Can of formula ran us 37 bucks, but it is what it is. Having a baby is either a mood or a vibe, you choose. Choose vibe, make the best of it because I definitely regret wasting my time with my first born at 23.