Parenting for new moms is all shades of overwhelming — especially when everyone has a piece of “tried and true” advice. It is easy to drown in the sea of shared “supposed wisdom” while trying to deal with sleep deprivation and all the other downsides of motherhood. But here’s the thing, there is no “right way” to parent, and being responsible for a tiny little human doesn’t have to be rigid, strict, and anxiety-riddled. Want some handy yet fun tips to nurture your little one to perfection? Note these tips:
1.Take a Break from Housekeeping
Juggling housekeeping with baby tendering is a recipe for disaster. You may manage to get a good grip on both, but your body will bear the brunt of your actions. So, take a break from all things laundry, cooking, cleaning, and sundries, for as long as you need to. Employ or seek help if need be. Enjoy those precious moments with your baby before they are all grown.
2. Join a Mom Support Group
Being surrounded by other mothers in similar stages of motherhood is oddly refreshing. You can unburden your frustrations, seek solutions for baby and parenting problems, unwind, share laughter and find friends that are on the same boat with you. So, find a mom support group near you and join.
3. Delegate “mom duty” to Your Partner
Playing “super mom” might be cool, but letting your partner into you and your baby’s world, is the absolute best feeling. It even gets better when he is solicitous and eager to change diapers. Let him take over for a couple of hours while you soak in a tub, enjoy a glass of wine, or even sleep (let’s face it, moms hardly ever get any sleep). Give daddy and his baby some space to bond!
4. Make Reading a Daily Habit
I know it’s hard work, but reading to your child every day has its benefits. For one, it enhances your child’s imagination which is vital to cognitive function and focus. Plus, it makes a great bonding activity. Your baby will rather listen to your soothing voice than the computerized sound of a kiddie’s song.
5. Discuss Financial Decisions
This might seem like a piece of funny baby advice for new moms, but it’s actually great to talk about money with your little one. Take them with you for grocery shopping and dissect every purchase you made while they listen. If the cost of flour is lower or higher than usual, let them know. If you regretted making a particular purchase you considered wasteful, say it out loud to their hearing and promise to do better next time. As you make these financial declarations and overviews, your child will pick up healthy financial management habits, faster than you can blink.
6. Make Birthday Celebrations Special
Even if your child is not old enough to appreciate the value of aging, make an effort to make each birthday a special one. Decorate your kitchen with balloons and special notes so when they come in for breakfast, it’s the first thing they see. Bake a birthday cake together even if your kitchen will end up being a mess!
7. Customize your Parenting
As earlier said, there’s no “right way” to parent a kid. What works for Mary may not work for you. Regardless of how unconventional your methods are, as long as it is not harming your kid but shaping them to be healthy adults, you have full permission to do as you deem fit. Don’t try too hard to make impressions or conform to society’s idea of what’s acceptable and right. Be your kind of special mum.
8. Play the Age Game
This is a fun yet educating activity you can indulge in with your child. When your child is all cute and comfy in their pajamas, snuggle up to them and ask them to pick a number, smaller than your current age. Then regale them with stories or an unforgettable incident that happened at that age. Your stories should be funny, memorable and should hold a valuable life lesson.
9. Be Goofy
You shouldn’t be yelling orders every day like a military commander. Let your kids watch you act goofy and downright silly. Make funny faces or mimic hilarious characters. Pretend you are a monster and chase them around the house, and tickle any child that falls into your flailing hands. Let your kids see the beautiful and hilarious side of life.
10. Take Playful Walks
Walk to the park or run errands with your kid while hopping over cracks or singing your favorite tunes. Talk or challenge each other to see who gets to your destination faster. Make sure to keep them out of harm’s way as you out-walk each other or do other playful things.
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