Being a parent can be full of so many emotions. Joy, excitement, anxiety and exhaustion are often among the most common.
Becoming a new parent can be an overwhelming experience.
Not only is it exciting and wondrous, it is also a nerve wracking and exhausting time. It is an enormous transition and adjustment.
If you read everything and listen to everyone you would quickly find that there is sometimes confusing or conflicting information about what to do or not to do.
Often everyone seems to have an opinion. You will most likely be the recipient of unsolicited advice.
It is a mix between absorbing the generally well intentioned advice and learning as you go with your baby.
Being a parent doesn’t automatically mean you know what to do.
Becoming a parent doesn’t automatically prepare you for all the uncertainty and the mountain of questions that arise.
The best advice you can do is listen to your instinct.
While you may be new at this you will learn to intuitively understand your child and their needs.
Top tips for being a new parent
Navigating the first few weeks and months may seem the hardest. Especially as it may be all so new.
- Take care of yourself. A new baby not only demands on your time but any energy reserves you may have had, especially after some sleepless nights. They need you to do things so often that it may seem near impossible to take any time for yourself, let alone some quality time to relax and refresh.
- Ask for help. Your partner, parents, friends, to be able to take time out completely.
- Make time for you and your partner. Again this may seem not only a hard ask but one of the last things possible. But again it is well needed and worth the extra effort (and energy) needed.
- Seek advice. It’s OK to ask for help. In fact it is recommended to seek help from professionals. Some of the advice is helpful, while other advice can frighten or confuse us. Sifting through the well intended advice is often hard, but if you need help or advice it’s best to ask a professional. This can save stress and time.
- Focus only on the essentials and necessities. It is not as important to have a sparkling clean house over sleep. You all need to prioritise.
- If you are having a rough time, then let people know. People who care about you will be there to help. You don’t need to struggle alone. Sometimes it can be something so small that can make the difference to you and your mental health and coping.
- There is no doubt that being a new parent is a life-altering amazing experience. There will be times when you make mistakes but whatever you go through it is an adventure you will be proud to endure.
There is a general consensus if you sift through all the information and advice out there and we have compiled it into a quick set of tips for you to stay sane, bond with your child and enjoy the experience of being a new dad.
Additional points to remember
- A great deal of it is down to trusting your own instincts but what is being reflected in a lot of professional’s opinions is that there is a significant proportion of parents struggling with their parenting role. if you find yourself struggling say something and ask for help.
- Stay calm. Try not to get angry (or at least try not to show that you are angry) at their behaviour, sleepless nights, etc.
- Be realistic in your expectations and make them appropriate to their age and development.
- Set boundaries and limits that are fair and consistent.
- Teach them independence by giving them opportunities for them to learn new things, problem solve, and accomplish things themselves.
- Talk to them and respect them.
- Show your love and affection as well as telling them how much you care.
- Pay attention and spend time with them. Stop what you are doing (as it’s not going anywhere) and take time out to do what your child is asking/seeking or if it is really important and you can’t stop what you are ding then perhaps involve the child in what you are doing.