Things I wish I knew before I had a baby. Tips for all new parents.

You will feel your not doing a good job at some point. BUT YOU ARE!

Is that snack healthy enough?

Breast or Bottle?

Do we have the TV on too much?

You will question everything you do for your little one and thats okay, just make sure its what right for you.

If your child is safe and happy don’t let others make you feel bad for your choices.

BUT if you feel like you are really struggling, talk to someone and ask for advice/help.

 

You can never be fully prepared.

Packed your hospital bag?

Got the nursery full to the brim of things you’ll need?

Breast pump / Bottles ready?

You’ll still find once baby is here and honestly throughout that you’ve missed something.

You wont be prepared for how little sleep you get or the 5th accident/ explosive nappy when you only packed for 4.

Just do what you can!

 

You will never be alone but feel lonely.

I can’t talk for everyone with any of these and especially this one. A lot of mums i know have struggled with this, me included.

There will be many times you feel isolated as a parent and feel like nobody can understand or will judge you. I still feel that 3 (ish) years on.

Having a group of friends to talk to will help you so much but its up to you how much you share with them. They can’t help and support if they don’t know you’re struggling. See my post on surviving motherhood and how important I think it is for any parent.

You will feel every emotion there is on a daily basis.

You will cry (a lot), get frustrated (more as they get older), be happy, feel guilty. EVERYTHING.

I can’t even remember the amount of times i’ve sat crying while Pops napped because i had shouted at her and felt so guilty… only for her to wake up and not remember a thing and tell me she loves me and want to play.

 

None of those will matter when you watch the person you’ve created be kind and loving to you or someone else.

There’s so many negative parts of parenting, they can feel like they are taking over some days but when you see how brilliant and kind that little bug you created can be it fills you with joy.

I don’t think anything can rival the pride you get when watching your son/daughter  learn a new word, walk or say thank you to someone who holds the door (without prompt).

 

What do you wish you knew before having a baby?

 

Until the next post,

Are and Pops.