Being new parents can be stressful, exciting, scary and more emotions wrapped up in one. I was so scared always reaching out and reading online for different tips & parenting hack for new parents. Once everything fell into place, I calmed down a bit, but I still remember not wanting my mom to go home because I didn’t want to take care of my daughter all by myself. I mean what if I sucked at it. The good news is, I did fine, and everything fell into place as the days passed. Gosh, they go by way to fast!
Just like my mom told me I tell my kids to enjoy their childhood because one day they will look back and wish they could be young again. There is nothing easy about all this adulating we have to do, especially once we become parents. Time goes by so quickly, if we are not careful, we will miss parts of their childhood, moments we can never get back. I speak from experience; there is no way to sugar coat it so I’ll just tell you. I’m a workaholic. Well, I was up until I had Mattie. After maternity leave, all I could think about was being at home with my kids but couldn’t because we needed both incomes. Upon returning to work, I immediately regretted the promotion I received before going on maternity leave because it was more responsibility, more hours and more time away from my family.
I missed a lot of firsts thanks to that stupid job that I worked so hard to get before I had my daughter yet hated upon returning because I felt like it was taking MY MOMENTS and giving them to someone else. Seriously, I paid good money for someone to not just watch my children but get some of their firsts. I so desperately regret working for the first years of my kid’s life. It took me three years to finally get up enough courage to leave my job so I could work from home on my blog and be home with my kids. I wouldn’t miss another class party, award ceremony and most importantly I would know my children better than ever!
Now I’m not perfect, and I still have to work, but at least I’m doing it at home where my kids are now. I can make all their functions, take them to school, take time off because one of them is upset, or just spend a little time watching a cartoon with them. It’s defiantly made me happier, but I do admit I wish I didn’t have to work at all so I could give them all my attention because they are getting big fatter than I want them too. Seems like the older you get, the faster the days, weeks, months nad years fly by.
Parenting Hacks & Tips for New Parents
Don’t spend so much time trying to plan the big stuff
We all want our children to have an awesome birthday, with friends, balloons, cake and maybe even a fun theme of their choice. Which is great, do it but remember you are missing out on valuable time with your kids if you are going to sit and pin things on Pinterest for hours. Oh, and trust me I do know how it easy it is to get sidetracked in the wonderful world of Pinterest, lol..
Schedule your day and stick to it
Seriously, do your best to plan your day, so you have time to get everything done. Remember with a young one at home you’ll have to allow yourself time for the unknown and not be hard on yourself if you leave something for the following day.
Schedule time for one on one time together
Plan a special day for you and your child to spend time together, just the two of you. It doesn’t matter how young or old they are a schedule that time and spend it together not worrying about the things that need to get done the work you have to do when you get back and all the molding stuff us adults do and focus 100% on your child. Whether you go to the park, for a drive or, just spend time holding your new baby one on one time is a great way to bond with your children. And, we can all spare a few hours her and there.
Stop what you are doing and look at your child
So your toddler comes to tell you something, and you are super busy don’t tell them to hang on if you can avoid it, stop turn around and look at them. Let them say whatever it is that they have to say, nine times out of ten they will make you smile.
You don’t need a purse and a diaper bag
Seriously, until your little one is older and you give up the diaper bag use it as a handbag too. I know the baby stuff takes up most of the room, but all you need is a small place for your essentials. You’ll spend a lot more time being productive and less looking for your purse lol. It worked for me, and I’ll do it again with the next one.
Say I love you and hug them often
Tell your children you love them and hug them as much as you can. I had great parents, but I feel like that is one area I missed. I never doubted their love, but we were not an affectionate family. It’s something I’ve done differently with my kids too because I think it’s important for kids to hear and feel your love.
Ask them if you can play with them
Come on; all this adult stuff doesn’t have to be cooking and cleaning. Sit down and have some fun building something with Legos, playing dolls, or whatever your kids are into. Something my kids have enjoyed since they were able to take part in them is little crafts.
Ask them to help you
If you have a lot going on, ask your child to help you! It makes daily chores a lot more fun, lol. The last time I played with bubbles was when Mattie helped me clean the kitchen.
Cool down oatmeal & give it some flavor at the same time
Use iced berries to cool down hot oatmeal. Depending upon how old your child is either smash up the berries and pour them into a beautiful tray for older children just put some in a freezer baggie in the freezer. Use frozen barries to cool down things like oatmeal while giving them a great flavor.
Bath time doesn’t have to be cold
If the baby is little, he likely gets cold after his bath. Heck, I still get cold, lol. Before you start the bath, toss kids towel into the dryer and grab it when you ready to get them out. Just make sure not to leave the baby alone and make sure the towel is not too hot before wrapping a warm towel around them.
Trouble getting baby to stay asleep?
If you are having trouble getting you little guy or girl to sleep and stay asleep try a little white noise, it sure helped my baby sleep.
Get those does on the right feet
Mattie would always put her shoes on the wrong feet. Cut a sticker in half and put them on the bottom of the shoe so they can match them up and know which feet they go on. It worked like a charm. If the sticker comes off just grab a permanent marker and drawn a heart or something, works just a good.
There are great diapers that cost less
Did you know you can save money on diapers without trading quality? Yes, you certainly can Luvs is a great diaper at a high price. Buying diapers, wipes, formula and everything else you need for a young child can get expensive, and it’s okay to want nothing but the best for your kids. I was like that with my first baby, but you eventually learn that there are certain things that you can not only save money on but something that is just as good as what you were previously using. Take Luvs for example, did you know they are used more by moms with their second baby? Yup, it’s true! Luvs works just as good for me as all the other more expensive brands, and I can save a little money.
As a more experienced mommy, I learned that Luvs is a great affordable option. Luvs has always done an outstanding job keeping my little ones comfy and dry, even during the wiggly time of their lives.
They come loaded with NightLock® which is Luvs largest absorbency area, EVER! It locks away wetness even overnight!
If you haven’t given Luvs a try yet, grab some the next time you’re at the store and give them a try. What’s not to love about Luv’s? If you have not tried them give them shot, remember there is a money back guarantee if you are not happy.
You really can’t go wrong with Luvs! I mean it’s not often savings, quality, comfort, protection and even a money back guarantee! Yes, if you’ve yet to try Luvs grab a pack if you’re not happy to get your money back. I like Luvs; it’s one thing all my kids and nephews have in common – at some point in their baby and toddler years they’ve all rocked luvs and never complained. You just gotta love Luvs!
It’s okay not to get everything done
My mom told me a long time ago to stop stressing the laundry, dishes and other things that won’t break if put off. She told me, “Jennifer they will be there tomorrow stop worrying so much. You’ll always have those responsibilities, but your children will never be the same age they are today again. Remember what’s important, the rest can wait until tomorrow.” I wish I would have started listening to my mom sooner in life.
It’s something I am always reminding myself. If it’s not something that MUST get done and I’m running low on time I stop, take a deep breath and remember that conversation with my mom. It’s something that has helped me the most.
There are times I wish I could go backward and do things over, better this time. You know spend more time with my kids while they were little. I look at Gavin and remember the day I brought Mattie home; now Mattie is six, and I’m not sure how it all happened so fast.
If there were one thing I could tell you, it would be what my mother said, “Remember your children will never be as young as they are right now.” Treasure each and every moment you get with them.
I’m sharing #Luvs in my life as part of a LUVs sponsored series for Socialstars™