What you should have in mind if you are about to become a parent?
Photo by Luemen Rutkowski on Unsplash
Becoming a parent is one of the most exciting and stressful things that can happen to you. As you prepare for this new chapter in your life, it’s important to keep these six points in mind.
You are not alone
There are so many things to think about and do before you become a parent. It can be overwhelming at times, but know that everyone goes through the same thing! There’s never such a thing as “perfect timing” or an expert who knows everything (at least not anymore). Your family and friends love you and will always be there for support if needed.
Many people find comfort knowing that they’re not alone through parenting groups online or in person, parents’ support groups (such as Pregnancy & Parenting Support Services), and even talking to other expecting mothers/dads who are further along on their journey. You may also want to take advantage of resources like Mommyhood101 if you plan on staying home with your child full-time after giving birth! No matter what path you choose for yourself and your family, write down everything important before it slips away – you’ll be glad that you did later when life gets hectic!
Your child will have an impact on your work/life balance
It’s important to think about how your family (including both kids and parents) will adapt when you bring a child into the equation. It can be something as simple as starting daycare or preschool if either of you plans on working full-time after the baby is born, hiring someone, or even staying home with your new bundle of joy. You might also want to consider childcare options that work around school schedules for older children in case you end up sending them off at some point! Establishing healthy boundaries between work/life balance – especially during times where it may feel impossible – are vital before taking this next step together…after all, no one wants their kid to grow up thinking that work is more important than family.
You need to be patient with yourself and others
All of your experiences will be new to you. Many parents struggle with the issue of perfectionism (especially if they’re first-time parents) because it can cause them to forget that everyone has different learning curves when it comes to parenting – including themselves! You’ll make mistakes, but don’t let that discourage or shame you into thinking that you’re not good enough for your child; instead, accept these moments and learn from them so that they become less bumpy in the future. This goes hand-in-hand with being patient with yourself…you are only human after all! It’s okay to say no once in a while too.
It might take time before you feel like a real parent
Becoming a new parent is tough, and many parents struggle with this feeling of not being able to do things as well as they’d like. Some people call it the “baby fog” because you might forget simple things such as changing your clothes or showering, sometimes even eating! It may take some time before you feel like yourself again (if ever), but don’t let that discourage or shame you into thinking that you’re not good enough for your child; instead, accept these moments and learn from them so that they become less bumpy in the future. Most importantly: enjoy every moment with your baby!
Babies depend on parents for their safety
You might be a new parent – but your child is not! They depend on you to provide for their safety, nourishment (food), and shelter from the elements. Parents must understand this so they can have realistic expectations of what babies are capable of doing at different ages. For example: crawling alone isn’t necessarily cause for celebration because it means a baby could crawl right out an open door without warning, that’s why gates should always be locked in place to prevent accidents from happening! If you’re going through a tough time as a new mom or dad, try taking some extra steps such as asking family members if there’s anything they can help with around the house while you adjust. Sometimes just knowing that someone is there to help lightens the load!
Enjoy every moment because they go by quickly
From the moment your baby is born, you’ll be taken on a whirlwind of experiences both good and bad, but it’s important to enjoy every single one of them! After all: babies grow up so fast. This means that they might not always need you in the same way as before (or at all). You may find yourself feeling lonely or even jealous because parenting can feel like an endless cycle sometimes – especially when no progress seems to have been made since yesterday! If this happens from time to time, don’t let these feelings get too much control over how you react. Instead, try looking for ways to remind yourself why having kids was something YOU wanted in life. It’s okay if things aren’t going perfectly because there will always be another day ahead of you to try again.
The most important thing you should have in mind is that there are no shortcuts when it comes to parenting. No matter how hard the situation becomes, do not give up on your child!