Hey now! These parenting tips were brought on by a fun periscope that I did this morning. I’ve had some newbie parents ask me questions and some “about to be” parents, and so I said let me post about the things you just have to get over.
Yes, I have teens, but I remember the struggle of running a house with small babies and never seeming to get it ALL done. Argh! Yes, I feel your pain!
Parenting is scary and beautiful at the same time.
I remember being excited and scared when I found out I was pregnant. Yikes! That was 15 years ago. Time flies! And you know what? It will fly for you, too. So, this post is meant to be funny yet encouraging. Read along knowing I am being very sarcastic and will end this thing with tips for you to rock parenting like a PRO!!!!!
My Top Ten Parenting Tips
1. Time
Unless they are making more of it. You’re screwed. Well, not really. You just have to learn to only insert the important stuff of life in your schedule and then you will be fine. Saying NO will go a long way in this department. Thank me later!
2. A Clean House
Yes, say good-bye to being able to keep it tidy. Little people mean little messes or in my case, it was egged on the floor when I turned my head for a second. Or, I remember finding bubble gum, jelly, film negatives, and potpourri in my VCR once. It was funny after I cleaned it out. Lol! Kids! Yes, they do the darndest things.
To keep your sanity, you may have to make peace with messiness for a while. Or enlist help from friends, family, your spouse, or a professional. I used a maid a few times and I felt really good about myself afterward. If you are accustomed to doing it all and you just can’t anymore, mom guilt sinks in. Don’t let it. Ask for help!
3. “Me” Time
Yes, this one goes bye-bye quickly! What is self-care? Do people still do that? Right. So, to avoid this pitfall, pencil in time for you even if it’s a few minutes a day while baby or toddler sleeps.
As your kids get older, you can put this on your schedule as a “must-do”. Trust me, you will need this weekly!
4. Quality Time
This one is for the married couples and the folks with boos. You will lose this precious commodity when the baby comes. I get it. Baby has needs. But, unless you want the baby to have some uptight parents, make sure to always fit time in your schedules for each other. Some folks call it “date night”. I call it necessary adult time.
Contrary to popular belief, the baby should not supersede your time together. Take care of baby, get a sitter, and you two enjoy each other.
5. Friends
This one is easy to let go of. You have a new baby and you get focused on being the best parent. But, let me tell you, always make time for girl time or guy time. You will need those friends when the awesome newness of precious little feet and baby powder wears off. Trust me. It will. And all that cuteness won’t cure the desire to be an adult with friends again.
Lighten up. You can have both. So, do that!
6. Fun/A Life
I hit on these already. Newly single and parenting or parenting with help tends to all end up with a little less fun than usual. The way this can change is you can invite the friends over for a potluck or if you have kids in a similar age group, do playdates. The point is, do not let your fun dry up.
Now, some things you used to do, you just can’t do anymore. That’s okay. But, not doing anything fun is not advised. Besides, parenting is tough. You need an outlet. Go have some fun!
7. Getting Places on Time
Le struggle! I used to take every item known to man with me when my boys were small. I can hear me now, “What if this happens then I need this?” Yeah, by the second kid I had learned how to pack. But that first one had me in a tizzy packing eva-ry-thang!
Don’t do it! Learn from me. Don’t break your back carrying a big baby AND a big bag. As Eryka Badu says, “Pack light.”
8. Having ANY Money
This one is so sad but true. Milk is so expensive, the clothes are so expensive. It is just expensive. So get accustomed to not having any money. Now, if you are able to put money up for emergencies before baby, do that. If money is not a problem for you, you are blessed. Be thankful and help a mom less fortunate. If you have a baby and money is tight, I understand. Now is the time to figure out what other gifts you have that you can charge for like teaching an instrument, tutoring in a subject, or even getting additional work from home jobs, etc.
Parenting is expensive. Kids have needs. Wait until your son wears a 14 and most stores go up to a 13. Hmm mmm! Right!
9. Balance
Yes, this one is a myth. I think you can juggle thinks well and survive. I do not think life ever gives us moments where all our tasks are in perfect alignment, but seeking balance is a beautiful thing. When you can get your life running smoothly, everything else runs smoothly. So, my key in this area is to remove everything that isn’t important right away to be delegated to other days. Being able to figure out the main thing (s) helps keep you and me in balance.
Don’t pressure yourself in the beginning. You are learning new territory here. Keep showing up loving on baby and you and eventually you will look up and be further along. It takes time to find your rhythm. Trust me, yours is coming.
10. Getting It Right
I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but “new” parents and “old” mess up. We do. We royally mess up, but that doesn’t mean we don’t love our kids. So, this step is to remind you to give yourself a little more grace every day. Keep trying to be the best parent you can be! You are getting it right more than you think! Keep checking out the blog for more tips and tricks for parenting and single parenting.
Please find the video below unedited and full of my best wishes for you to rock it out as a newbie parent. Lol! Enjoy and know that you are getting better constantly! Your kids are soooo blessed to have you!
Of course, these are my top ten parenting tips or things to get over so you can get on to parenting and enjoying life. Did you enjoy them? Do you agree? What would you add? Sound off in the comments. Some new parents need to know!
As always,
Do It Anyway!
P.S.
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