Adapting to parenthood as a new parent takes time to ease into and you’ve got to go into it with a sense of humor and an open mind that life never stays the same. It’s always changing. This phase won’t last forever, and before you know it, you and your spouse will get all teary-eyed recalling the days your baby was just a wee newborn.
Until then though, here are some tips for making the transition into this phase of your life much smoother.
1. Learn to be flexible
Being rigid will never do you any good. Just as you get used to how your baby behaves in the form of naps and eating and you think you’ve got it covered, something will shift in his development (like that first tooth that makes him howl all night) and you’ll need to adapt. Thinking on your feet is critical and if it’s a skill you don’t have now, trust us, you will soon!
2. Identify patterns
In the beginning, it might feel like your baby is crying all the time. But those cries aren’t always about hunger. Learn to listen with a keen ear and you’ll realize, “Hey, that’s the cry he made when he was hungry,” which makes it easier for you to respond. Babies cry about 12 different things from hunger to discomfort so tuning in makes it easier for you to meet his needs.
3. You don’t have to do it all
Take care of only the things that absolutely must get done. You washed the clothes but didn’t put them away? Relax! All new parents have Mt. Laundry on their sofas. It’s not that important. What matters is that the clothes are clean. Get those important things done first. In time, you’ll manage getting the laundry put away as it should be. For now, stop stressing.
4. Meal plan
Ideally, doing this before the baby comes is a brilliant idea. Having fully-prepped meals you made in your slow cooker and froze for a rainy day are the ideal solution for healthy eating once baby arrives. You can also use one of those meal delivery services if need be, or hopefully, you’ve got loving friends and family nearby who can lend a hand.
5. Take all advice with a grain of salt
You’ll find everyone has an opinion on how you should raise your baby from what diapers to use and whether or not to breastfeed. And some people really do have great advice, but it might not be applicable to you. There’s no need to do everything everyone suggests. Simply smile and thank them and file the information away in your brain for possible later use.
Most importantly, learn to laugh about life when things don’t go as planned. A great sense of humor goes a long way in the world of parenting. You’ll want to hone that skill, particularly for the not-so-far-off toddler tantrum years, we can assure you of that!
Jennifer
Photo by Julie Johnson
Recent Comments