When you are a mom, you learn something new everyday. If you take into consideration I’ve been a mom for (approximately) 1,373 days, you could say I’ve learned a lot. I could probably come up with a list of 1,373 things to share with you, but I’m just not sure that either of us have the time for that.
Instead, I’ll just jump to the highlights. You know, like the obvious stuff I should have known already and the ah-hah moments that made everything that much easier.
1. Take a shower every day, even if it’s right before you go to bed. The time alone (and the feeling of being clean) is worth it.
2. Keep ziploc bags in every size. These things come in handy in so many ways. Need to take crayons to a playdate? Check. Leftover cookies? No problem. Store that extra-special baptism outfit that may or may not ever get worn again? Can do.
3. Sometimes you have to punish yourself to help them. Even if both of you question if you are helping them. Things that come to mind: taking away television privileges, taking away pacifiers, transitioning from the bottle to sippy cups, and so on….
4. A bottle of Desitin can go into the washer, and the load will come out unscathed. A used disposable diaper in the washer will be a bad-day maker.
5. Kids will go through stages. Once you think you have it all figured out they will change. It might be out of spite.
6. Never change a “clean” sheet or bathe a clean kid. The clean sheet will get soiled and the clean kid will jump in a mud puddle immediately after your efforts.
7. Just when you think you’ve heard it all, they will find one more reason why they CANNOT GO TO SLEEP. I’ve heard there’s a book about that… I could probably have written it.
8. If your kid has more than one blow-out or soaks through the diaper often, it’s time to move up a size.
9. Feed them what you eat. If you make them special food in the beginning, they will always want special food.
10. Try to read a book to your kid and get them outside every day. Don’t freak out if it doesn’t happen. You can always fib to your friends, hubby, pediatrician, or concerned stranger if you need to.
11. Consignment sales and stores are your best friend. So are moms with kids slightly older and of the same gender as yours. No, Eugenia and Hunter that is not why we are friends. You had your boys after we met!
12. When you get to the grocery store get everything you would ever need. And then some. I’ve never regretted buying an extra gallon of milk, another box of diapers, or that second case of beer.
Did I forget something? Add it in the comments. I have a lot more parenting days ahead of me, and I sure could use some pointers!
This is a great list, thank you so much for sharing it! I would add..
Keep to a schedule, with flexibility. As soon as a baby can be on a schedule, do it. This not only creates a sense of security for your child but it also brings sanity to your daily life. They like knowing what comes next. And this will help with every new stage… sleeping through the night, going to bed easily, going down to one nap, etc. The flexibility part is important. You can’t always expect everything to go to plan. I guess that’s parenthood in general!
This is so true! It was much easier to manage with my first kid, but harder now that I have two!
Wow, you’re so right about the grocery store! Overbuying has saved us on countless occassions!
I know. I need to remind myself of this all of the time. I literally have arguments with myself about whether I really need to buy 3 gallons of milk. Yes. Yes I do.