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One of the most important things to know about becoming a parent is that you should set any ideas of ‘perfect parenting’ aside. You do the best that you can. You learn while ‘on the job.’ And if you ever need support, you can always rely on your partner, family, friends, and the internet for help. It is empowering to know that other people have been in your shoes and have faced and overcome the same challenges that you’re struggling with now.
As the BBC points out, new parents put a lot of pressure on themselves, so it’s important to learn to ease up. Being a parent doesn’t come easily to anyone (no matter how picture-perfect their parenting social media account might look). It’s also important that you take on other people’s advice and read up on parenting, but at the end of the day, trust your instincts and have faith in your own judgment.
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Furthermore, it’s vital that you constantly communicate and (re)connect with your significant other. You should find ways to share your parenting duties, plan things together, and let each other rest because you’re both exhausted. It’s important to remember here that nobody is a mind-reader and you need to get good at asking for help, instead of keeping your partner guessing about your wants, needs, and struggles.
Meanwhile, take some time to actively reach out to other parents who are in the same situation as you are. Connecting with other new parents helps you stay social and exchange parenting tips.
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You’ll hear enough little kid music and soundtracks in your house. In your car, you teach them about the time Stevie Nicks wrote “Silver Springs” about her ex and then made him play it on stage.
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Good sleep is a fundamental part of your physical and mental health. If it suffers, it has knock-on effects throughout your entire life.
The NHS suggests that new parents try to rest whenever their baby sleeps. “It might be tempting to use this time to catch up with housework or other chores, but sometimes getting rest is more important. Set an alarm if you're worried about sleeping for too long.”
Moreover, try to go to bed earlier every night. And if you have a partner, share the night feeding between both of you.
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They will memorize your phone number in no time.
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It’s also not a sign of weakness to ask for help. You can ask a family member or friend to temporarily babysit while you catch up on some sleep.
In the meantime, sleep aside, remember to take care of the other aspects of your health, like getting enough exercise, eating nutritious food, staying hydrated, and having (some sort of) a social life.
“When you're feeling tired, doing more exercise may be the last thing you feel like doing. But regular exercise can help you feel less tired. Walking is one of the easiest forms of exercise. Try to get out for a walk every day with your baby, even if it's just to the shops.
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In your personal experience, what are the biggest challenges that you’ve had to overcome in raising your kids? On the flip side, what are the best parts of being a parent?
What advice would you give anyone who’s a new parent and feels completely exhausted and utterly overwhelmed? What do you wish your partner would ‘get’ to help you get on the same page?
Feel free to vent and share your parenting hacks in the comments down below!
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“You won the big game! Lets get pizza!”
“You’re sad, lets get chocolate and ice cream.”
“It hurts grandma’s feelings if you don’t eat seconds.”
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