New mom or dad? Here are 20 helpful tips carefully curated that we are sure will come in handy as you raise your kids.
Becoming a parent can be a tad overwhelming, especially when the advice comes from all quarters. So we at Pediatric Partners Hospital have compiled this handy guide of quick tips to get you started and give you the confidence you need to embrace your new role.
- Be Present, live in the now!
You have permission to stop worrying about your endless checklist. You have to learn to be present with your baby. Enjoy your precious moments together because time moves so swiftly.
- Stick to an early bedtime
Your child will get the sleep he needs, and you’ll get to recharge your batteries.
- Learn to Say “no”
The better you get at turning down requests that aren’t in your child’s best interest, the fewer times you’ll need to do so.
- Create mini-traditions
Hang balloons around the dining table the night before your child’s birthday so he/she wakes up to a special day. Make a funny noise when it’s just you and your kids.
- Know your kid
Each child is a unique combination of strengths and challenges. Try to tailor your response to fit the kid in front of you.
- Find and appreciate your crew
Identify the people you can call when you need to vent—friends who’ll give their opinion when you ask for it and keep their mouth shut when you don’t, and who would drop anything to be there for you and your family (and vice versa). Love them hard and thank them often.
- Remember, you’re a role model
Make being a parent look appealing to your kids so they’ll want to have children and you can be a grandparent one day. If you’re always stressed, pouty, or fussing, he/she won’t be inspired to become a parent.
- Learn to Let your partner take over (Dear moms)
He’s all in, so encourage him to be in charge of bathing, feeding, reading, or tummy time (or all four). They’re great bonding activities—and an opportunity for you to catch your breath.
- Talk to your kids about money decisions
When you buy a brand of cereals because it’s less expensive (and just as good) or opt to pass on a dress you like “until it’s on sale,” explain your thinking to your kid. It helps them understand the way money works.
- Read to your child every single day
It helps build imagination, helps them learn words and is time well-spent bonding.
- Go small with big changes
Going from bottle to cup? Baby cot to bed? Of course, you want these transitions to go smoothly and quickly, but that can be overwhelming to your child. Let him/her play with the new cup, or sit and read together in the new bed first. Once he/she is used to the new sensory experiences, you can make the switch official.
- Teach your baby to fall asleep on their own
Feed him/her at the start of your bedtime routine. After a bath, books, and cuddling, put him/her down while drowsy but still awake. If you feed or rock him/her to sleep all the time, they’ll always need your help every night.
- Trust your instincts
Even if you can’t diagnose what exactly is wrong when your child doesn’t feel well, your gut will tell you that he needs to be checked out.
- When you’re wrong, own it and apologize!
If you mess up with your child (or your partner), apologize. This will teach your kids that it’s okay to make a mistake as long as you acknowledge it and say you’re sorry.
- Encourage sibling harmony
Don’t pit your kids against each other. Don’t compare them to each other as this may breed resentment. At dinner, have each child take turns saying what he enjoyed about his brother or sister that day. This helps kids look for the positives in their siblings rather than the negatives.
- Beware of the humblebrag parent
When acquaintances boast about their brilliant or super talented child, relax. Chances are they’re exaggerating or lying. Don’t let anyone make you or your child look like failures.
- Learn to put down your phone
When you’re with your kids, that call/message/e-mail can wait. They know when you’re not paying attention and when this becomes a pattern they grow to think they are not important or loved.
- Be a parent, not a bestie!
Your job isn’t to be popular. Your kids may not always like you in the moment. But deep down they’ll always love you for setting clear expectations.
- Make math more fun
Take every opportunity to play with numbers, sizes, and shapes. Count the oranges and apples as you put them into the bag at the supermarket. Ask your child which cereal box is the tallest. Point out the circle in the clock and the rectangle in the window. Fun Math Activities for Kindergarteners
- Answer the endless “why” questions
This is easier said than done, but young kids are curious about everything in their world. If you stop responding to their queries, they may stop asking and you don’t want that.
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