Lessons in Parenting

Now that it has been a week or more since my baby boy turned one, I thought I’d share my Top 10 things I learned during my first year as a parent. Please take them with a grain of salt, as I am still a first-time mommy.

1. Don’t stress about milestones.
Unless your pediatrician alerts you to a problem, don’t stress if your baby hasn’t reached a milestone yet. The moment you think he’ll never do something, just blink and he’ll have far surpassed your expectations.

2. Sing and dance with your baby every chance you get.
Some day soon they’ll be old enough to know better than to listen or play along. But when they are this young, your crusty old voice sounds like an orchestra.

3. Be grateful if you are able to breastfeed.
Some mothers don’t have this option, and some simply can’t keep up their supply. Thank God every day that he gives you the ability to produce milk and nurture that relationship with your baby.

4. Let other people dress your baby.
People love to buy baby clothes and people love to donate hand-me-downs. Accept these generous gifts with a big fat thank you and save your money.

5. Find your way to cope with stressful baby moments early.
I remember listening to Darius Rucker’s “It won’t be like this for long” almost every morning during the first 2 months of Caleb’s life. Darius was right. Everything changes so fast.

6. Let your baby get dirty.
That’s why they invented bubble baths. P.S. – My hubby taught me this one. I would have never believed it otherwise.

7. It is okay to piss off your baby.
In moments when you need to clip his fingernails, suction boogies from his nose, or give him medicine, he will kick, scream, and cry. Let him. He will survive. In fact, he’ll even forget about the “torture” of it in about 5 seconds.

8. Ask for help.
No one knows you need help unless you ask. Hubby and I utilized free childcare as much as we could that first year. We are eternally grateful to those who donated their precious time to watch baby Caleb.

9. Read to your baby every single day.
Science proves that a young child’s brain development progresses faster from age 0 – 5 than at any other stage in life. Read to them from day one, even when it seems they are ignoring you.

10. Share your baby with others.
Don’t let yourself be the only person your baby sees. He needs interaction from others. Plus, babies put smiles on the faces of those with whom you share him.

I didn’t include the most obvious things, like learn to listen to your baby’s cues, or wash your hands often. I included the things that took me by surprise as a new parent. Despite how far my delusional self might think I’ve come as a mommy, I still accept how very clueless I really am. I realize that not knowing it all has allowed me to become more flexible, more humble, and a parent who loves learning to be a parent.