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Melissa Sher

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23 Things I Think New Parents Should Know

Posted: 06/18/2012 12:40 pm

1. The more time and effort put into decorating a nursery, the more likely that the baby will sleep in your room.

2. Things that don't wake a sleeping newborn: loud noises and bright lights. Things that do wake a sleeping newborn: sitting down to eat dinner.

3. Maybe they'll say it's the eyes. Maybe they'll say it's the mouth. Whatever it is, people will insist on telling you that your newborn looks like you. It's almost never true.

4. You may not want to cut your baby's nails because you are afraid of making her bleed. However, if you don't cut your baby's nails, she will probably scratch herself and, then, she'll bleed. So, why postpone the inevitable?

5. There is no greater thrill than the first time a baby calls out "mama" or "dada," even when it is directed toward the cat.

6. Sleeping a lot and eating a lot are traits highly cherished in babies. Unfortunately, neither are particularly admired in adults.

7. As a new parent, strangers will often approach you to ask, "Is she a good baby?" Surprise them by saying, "No, she's kind of an #$$hole."

8. You will discover that there must have been something very, very tricky about composing a melody for "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star," The ABC's," and "Baa Baa Black Sheep."

9. From the moment you arrive home from the hospital, you will be asked if your baby sleeps through the night. Tell them you don't know. Tell them you spend most nights out clubbing.

10. Make sure you learn all the noises that farm animals make. Even though most people no longer live on farms, the sounds that sheep, pigs and cows make are priority number one when teaching your little one to talk.

11. If she is wearing a nice outfit, it is likely that your baby will poop.

12. If you are wearing a nice outfit, it is likely that your baby will poop.

13. Despite advances in science, no one has figured out how to diagnose a dirty diaper besides sniffing at it or peeking in it. When you're in public, learn to do this discreetly.

14. Never in your wildest dreams (or worst nightmares) did you ever imagine how much you would be talking about poop. Unless you work for a laxative company. If you work for a laxative company, you are probably already talking about poop a lot.

15. Strangers are friendly when you're with with a baby. That said, strangers are even friendlier when you're with a puppy.

16. One of the surprise perks of having a baby? When you're with one, you can talk to yourself out loud and people don't look at you like you're crazy.

17. Everyone tells you to "sleep when the baby's sleeping." It's good advice. But, remember, it's "sleep when the baby's sleeping... unless the baby fell asleep in the car and you're driving."

18. Don't beat yourself up over every little thing. Babies have really low expectations.

19. If you think you might be posting too many pictures on Facebook, you probably are.

20. No matter how much you love your child, naptime is never long enough.

21. When people come to visit in the first weeks after you come home from the hospital, remember they are there to see you and the baby. Remember they don't expect you or your house to look perfect. And remember, if you are talking anywhere near the baby monitor, there's a good chance they can hear you.

22. The secret to being a good parent? There isn't one. Anyone who tells you otherwise is lying.

23. When all else fails, if you can't stop your baby from crying, turn on some music and dance around the living room. Even if the crying doesn't stop, at least you'll enjoy yourself.

 

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1. The more time and effort put into decorating a nursery, the more likely that the baby will sleep in your room. 2. Things that don't wake a sleeping newborn: loud noises and bright lights. Things...
1. The more time and effort put into decorating a nursery, the more likely that the baby will sleep in your room. 2. Things that don't wake a sleeping newborn: loud noises and bright lights. Things...
 
 
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09:26 PM on 06/28/2012
hilarious!! and true!!
06:44 PM on 06/28/2012
Check it out.
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AndrewIfallalot
What's so wrong with class warfare?
09:29 AM on 06/25/2012
24. You can be as gassy as you want and blame it on the baby
10:25 PM on 06/24/2012
GREAT SITE AND GREAT INFORMATION. NO TWO PEOPLE ARE ALIKE AND NO TWO BABIES
ARE ALIKE......ALL ARE ORIGINALS AS GOD PLANNED. ENJOY YOUR BABY AND ENJOY
BEING A PARENT. THERE IS NOTHING AS REWARDING AS BEING A PARENT. DECIDE TO
SEE THE GLASS HALF FULL AND NOT HALF EMPTY.....IT IS YOUR CHOICE AND YOUR LIFE.
LET JESUS BE YOUR EXAMPLE. LOVE TRUMPS ALL!!!
02:58 PM on 06/24/2012
What memories you bring to mind. My daughter is now a teen, but I well remember these days.
04:17 PM on 06/22/2012
Once when my oldest was about 2 months, I knocked over a stack of boxes in the bedroom while she was sleeping. She stayed asleep. About 20mins later my phone rang in a room on the other side of house and she woke up.
02:59 PM on 06/22/2012
I LOVE no.7. It sounds like something I would say...
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bmitche
02:40 PM on 06/22/2012
Just love them with all your heart, and everything else will fall into place.
02:03 PM on 06/22/2012
Melissa..GREAT article. Im really enjoying these "no hidden political agendas" in the few articles I have seen lately. This one was as true as it was funny! =)
01:56 PM on 06/22/2012
I've had an in home daycare for the past 22 years. These are so funny, and so true. Thanks for the laughs!!!
01:39 PM on 06/22/2012
I have a feeling # 9 is probably more true than not for some of the parents nowdays!
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01:31 PM on 06/22/2012
My Mom told me it straight, having kids will bring you the most joy and the most heartache in your life. Have a 33, 29 and 27 yr old, STILL true!
01:31 PM on 06/22/2012
The MOST important thing both parents should know is that the "baby blues", a mild depression for a lot of new moms, are common. However, if the baby blues persist longer than a month or so, make sure the new mom talks about it. It could be the beginning of postpartum depression, a severe depression that could develop for some moms after having children, which is no fault of the mom. Postpartum depression needs immediate attention. It can cause severe panic attacks, anxiety, terrible thoughts and sometimes, fatal outcomes. A lot of times the new mom is ashamed to talk to anyone about it and suffers in silent. I should know, I suffered from it with my first born child, but was strong enough to talk about it and get the help I needed to overcome it.
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Melissa Sher
blogger, Mammalingo
08:02 PM on 06/22/2012
Yes. Absolutely. About 13 percent of women, as you probably know, suffer from PPD. I, personally, felt tremendous anxiety in the first weeks after I brought home my (first) baby. I've written about that before quite a bit and will probably do it again (and again some more) because I think it's important to share with new parents. To anyone reading this, If you feel depressed, overanxious, overwhelmed or are worried that you may have trouble taking care of yourself and your baby, please call your doctor or reach out to a loved one right away. And, if you have a loved one who you think might have these symptoms, reach out to them. Don't hesitate. @Gmaria12, thank you for adding this.
indigoblue322
Guinea pigs are the answer to world peace.
01:22 PM on 06/22/2012
Melissa, that was funny as all heck, and so very true. Thank you - I really needed that. A couple of other things - even though a newborns cry sounds huge to you, it's really very tiny. The bigger they get, the louder they cry, so enjoy the little noise while you can. Also, they really do grow up too quick - even though those sleepless nights seem like they go on forever, try to enjoy and accept every stage while you are in it. Don't wish their lives away - "I can't wait until she can walk / talk / eat by herself", etc. They will get there, and it all passes so quickly. You will blink an eye and you will all be 18 years older and you will wonder where the time went, and why you have gray hair (or no hair at all)! I'm smiling wistfully right now.
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victorzeller
01:01 PM on 06/22/2012
For those of you continuing to have kids, NO you can't afford just one more. You aren't raising the ones you have right anyway.
02:12 PM on 06/22/2012
LOL