For New Parents

So many people I know are having babies or are pregnant -- and they are all new parents. It's been 10 years since our first was born. Joe and I were a bit lazy when it came to the whole child birth thing. We didn't go to birthing classes or do anything special besides pack a bag and get the nursery ready. I remember going through the nesting period about 3 days before we had Caitlynn. I just had to get everything ready for the new arrival.

Anyway... so with all the new parents out there words of wisdom from yours truly...

• You will not be perfect at parenting.
• You will make mistakes. 
• If you plan on having more kids, you tend to over-analyze and dote over over child #1. As for the next child, you know what to expect and leave them alone more.
• You will learn the specific cries ... the "I'm so hungry, I could eat a horse" cry, the "OMG! Who is that scary person" cry, the "I'm in pain" cry, or the "I need your full unbridled attention, now, Mom" cry. And eventually, as the kids get older, you will learn their fake cries. 
• At some point you will curse your kids, like when you are scraping bubble gum off the floor or when they get glitter glue all over the dining table.
• Be prepared not to have pretty things around the house for the first 5 years (maybe longer if you have boys). 
• They are funny, yes... and they will repeat what you say at inappropriate times. 
• They hear everything. 
• Saying "NO" is not a bad thing. 
• As your child gets older, they will want some personal space. Be sure they get it. 
• Expect them to act like angels at school and at other people's homes but like terrors when they are home with you.
• It's ok to listen to your favorite music in the car. You hear crappy kids music all the time at home, why listen to it in the car? Take advantage of being in control of the radio/CD/iPod while they are young. Once Bieber-fever hits (or in my case, Abba fever), you have lost all control of the music being played in the car. 
• Do yourself a huge favor... do not grocery shop with the kids, especially between the ages of 3-6. 
• You know... it's ok to interrupt nap-time. Seriously... why all the scheduling of naps?
• For your own sanity, give yourself some me-time about once a week. 
• Let them play in the dirt. Encourage them to dig a hole with a stick or just have them figure it out on their own. Kids need to get dirty every once in awhile. Probably boosts their immune system. 
• Don't be surprised if the most played with toy is either the cheapest one or the actual box the most expensive toy came in. 
• Sit back and silently watch them play, especially during the toddler years. It's pretty amazing to see them use their imaginations. 
• Be sure you know the real scientific explanations for questions like, "Why is the sky blue?" Why? Because the first time they hear a long-drawn out explanation with lots of big scientific words, the less likely they will be to ask you another hard question. As they get older and can read, just say, "Look it up on the internet." 
• Save trips to Disney World for when they are old enough to appreciate it and won't be frightened by a giant mouse wanting to hug them. 

That's all the words of wisdom I have for now. Parenting is challenging, but it's always good to find humor in it.

Congrats to Steph and Jordan, Jason and Shannon, and Steph (2-pants) and Jorge.











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