A new mom recently asked me for advice on living with a newborn.
Here's what I shared:
1. Nap when the baby naps. It is part of your job description at this stage in life. It will make you a better mom and a better wife.
2. Make time for yourself. Whether that is in the form of a bubble bath, a trip to target, or a run. Do something that fills you up so you can continue to give to your family.
Now its your turn. What is one piece of advice you would share with a new mom?
12 comments:
Take help when you can get it and don't turn down a free meal. Also, be honest with people about what you need. For example, when people want to bring you a meal and ask what you want, you don't say "oh, whatever's fine" when you've had three nights of lasagna. Politely say, "How about a bucket of chicken or some tacos?" Most people will be happy to know what you want. I normally offer new moms options and let them choose. I've gone to the grocery store with a friend who had twins because she couldn't get both baby carriers in one cart and her husband was out of town. I've popped over to let friends shower and actually shave their legs. Hopefully, every new mom has a couple friends that will do those things for them!
Don't worry about the laundry or the dishes. They will eventually get done.
And, take a lot of pictures. Your lack of sleep will cause you to forget these moments, no matter how much you want to remember them!
I echo Sissy's sentiments. I would say accept help. My tendency is to think I can do it all and turn down offers of help. But when do let people help, it just goes so much easier.
And so with that I'd also say, enjoy the help...don't feel guilty the whole time that you should be doing that or feeling bad that someone is helping you with house cleaning. They wouldn't offer if they didn't want to help!
jounal. i wish i had as i have forgotten a lot of the "little things"
always, always, ALWAYS remember: this too shall pass! Those first days/weeks/month feel like they will last FOR.EV.ER!!
You look back and wonder what all that stress was about!
Know that each phase won't last forever. So treasure the good ones and know that the bad ones will end eventually.
Really good advice ladies - thanks for sharing!!
Savor the moments, and pray regularly -- for the baby, for his/her siblings, for your husband, for yourself. Parenting is an amazing partnership with Him, so talk things over with Him. Thank God for the opportunity to be a mom, and praise Him for His handiwork. Ask Him for strength, wisdom, and joy!
Life gets SO busy and crazy at this time - if you can....have a blank book (diary...journal)and write just one or two lines (seriously...you don't need a novel each day!!) about the day.
You will be SO glad you did. Years from now you will be able to look back (and better yet..your child may be able to look back once they have their OWN child and say "hey..my mom went through this exact same thing with me!"
I always told myself that in 2 months I wouldn't even remember that this was a problem or disliked part of a phase. 2 months later, the baby was 2 months older and we'd worked through that part of the phase.
Be happy that you get to hand them back at the end of the day...oh wait, I thought you said advice for aunts. I've got nothin' for the moms. :)
Tami, you make me laugh!
Post a Comment