My, my how life has changed.After having our second child last month, and reflecting back on how much things have changed over the last couple of years for my wife and I, I thought I would share a little of my "knowledge" with some expecting parent friends that I have.
You are always told by friends who have children things like "Be prepared to never sleep again", "Say good-bye to life as you know it" and blah blah blah.
Obviously your life is going to change, you're bringing another human being into it that you are responsible for. But the change is good and completely worth any sacrifice you have to make.
However, there are some unexpected things that you can't foresee and that is where my list begins...
You can never be prepared for everything that comes at you with your first child, but I hope this helps... at least a little.
Be Prepared...
Be Prepared to spend many nights sleepless comforting your new baby.
Be Prepared to make the strangest noises you've ever made until you find one that soothes them.
Be Prepared to feel like you're sleeping standing up as you comfort your little one.
Be Prepared to see things or hear things in your sleepless hallucinations... it's ok, I saw them too!
Be Prepared to argue with your significant other for no apparent reason in the middle of the night... you're both tired, it happens.
Be Prepared to agree to disagree. There is no wrong answer, just try to find some common ground.
Be Prepared to sleep at times of the day you haven't slept at since that three-day bender in the early 90's. Sleep when you can, you'll need it.
Be Prepared to not care what the house looks like, the baby and your rest are more important.
Be Prepared to cry for no apparent reason, it happens (Dad's too!)
Be Prepared to get frustrated, aggrivated, and upset when your baby won't stop crying. Those are the only "words" they know, you'll understand them soon enough.
Be Prepared to put the baby down when they are crying. It's OK, they are fine and you're still a great Mommy/Daddy.
Be Prepared to find yourself gravitating toward the "Baby Story" shows on TLC.
Be Prepared to not know what comes next. You'll figure it out.
Be Prepared to think "HOLY SH*T I MADE YOU!"
Be Prepared to stare at your baby for hours... it doesn't get old looking at them!
Be Prepared to not feel bad about asking for or accepting help from friends and relatives, that's what they're there for!
Be Prepared to have more food in your fridge than you know what to do with (see above)!
Be Prepared to call your doctor/nurse more than you think you should. We've all done it!
Be Prepared to get advice from EVERYONE... do what you think is best, not what someone else tells you to do.
And most of all ...
Be Prepared to love someone like you've never loved ANYONE before.
The experience is amazing, cherish it, they don't stay that little for long!
