Things You Weren't Told About Being a Parent
New Podcast Alert! "On Becoming Parents" by Neo Childcare
Dear Nurturer,
I know you sometimes wonder into the past thinking about how your life was before you became a parent. Constantly saying, why didn’t ‘Bisi’ tell me about this part of parenting.
The truth is nobody wants to say the hard bits, for fear of scaring you away from being parents or even been tagged as fear mongers. So everyone tells you about how amazing it is to be parents, how children are the joy of the world and how one cheeky smile from them can melt all your worries and sorrows away. All these are absolutely true but it isn’t the whole truth. Parenting will change your life , so you need to know the whole truth . Buckle up, because here's what nobody tells you before you become a parent:
1.Remember those blissful eight-hour nights of sleep? Yeah, they will feel like a dream. It’s not because your baby wants to be mean, it’s just the way their bodies are wired at the beginning. They have no perception of time and their cute stomachs are really small so they get hungry quickly and need to be fed quite frequently. It just so happens that the frequency will affect your wonderful sleep. They also almost always need a diaper change or two before the morning.
2. ‘‘I don’t have the patience for anything’’.. You say what !! If you have ever made this statement, just know that, the moment you have a baby, a bottomless reservoir of patience magically appears in you, you just have to reach deep within to access it. From tantrums, to refusing feeds, to throwing your things wherever they like, or the best part; making a complete mess of your living room right after you finished tidying up, you will definitely need that patience. Children were made to test your limit, the more you react, the further they test it. Breathe in and out, you can do this.
3. Your community matters, online and offline. Raising children is a team sport, no solo acts allowed! Lean on your family, friends, neighbours, that family doctor, because somehow everyone seems to have some trick up their sleeve, some little nuggets to drop. Share your victories, vent your frustrations, and remember, you're not alone in this beautiful, chaotic journey. We're all doing this parenting together, we go run am.
4. I am very calm, nothing fazes me..don’t be shocked that You might begin to… yell a lot. You remember the patience I said you should have earlier, sometimes, you won’t be able to locate it - you won’t find the signal. However children can be excited by yelling as it’s not a usual reaction and it just fuels them to do more . Once you find that you have started yelling and it’s not working, try to take a step back and see how you can handle it because the journey is long and you can’t yell forever. Save the yelling for when it will really matter. Choose your battles.
5. You'll find parts of yourself you never knew existed. Yes, even amidst the chaos and the never-ending chorus of "Mommy/Daddy!", you'll discover hidden strengths, talents, resilience, how selfless you can be and realize how much love you are capable of giving. Embrace the change, you're a superhero in the making! Don’t let anyone tell you differently. You have been upgraded!!
New Podcast Alert! "On Becoming Parents" by Neo Childcare
Exciting news! Neo Childcare is thrilled to announce the launch of our brand new podcast, "On Becoming Parents”!
This podcast is your one-stop shop for all things parenthood, from the joys and challenges of pregnancy and newborn care to navigating the ever-changing world of raising children.
Whether you're a first-time parent or a seasoned pro, our experienced hosts and guests will provide you with valuable insights, practical advice, and real-life stories to help you on your parenting journey. ✨
Ready to subscribe?
Click here to find "On Becoming Parents" on your favorite podcast platform.
Don't forget to rate, review, and subscribe to stay up-to-date on new episodes!
We can't wait for you to join us on this journey into parenthood. Let's learn, grow, and support each other every step of the way!
P.S: Share the news with your friends and family who are expecting or already have little ones! The more the merrier on this parenting adventure.
Now back to our gist
6. By now, I think we already know it’s not always sunshine and rainbows. There will be tears, low days and moments when you question your sanity and want to just give up on everything. Let the tears roll and allow yourself go through all the emotions, you will be better for it. As much as you love your child, if you don’t access those emotions deep within and try to come to terms with it, it can create resentment without you even realizing it.
7. Sharing is Caring- Parenting makes this literal in every way. From your life, to your partner, to your money, your bed space, your food, your gadgets, even your snacks (I draw the line on my snacks, I hide in the kitchen to eat them). Remember those days when your possessions were truly yours? Well not anymore. Oh I forgot, there is also nothing called privacy anymore.
8. Cherish all the moments. These little ones grow up faster than you can say "Where did my baby go?". Savor the cuddles, the first wobbly steps, the first words, all the awkward annoying things that only children can think of. These memories will be your treasures forever. Don’t be too eager to hit all the milestones, the more milestones they attain, the less they need you. It might feel like a relief but then you look back and think, where did the time go?
9. It will rock the foundation of your relationship. This part, most people don’t like to talk about, some even sugar coat it and say it brings you closer to your partner. Yes you and your partner will get closer, but before you do, there will be a couple of disagreements. Even your sex life will take a hit. You are both new to this, you are both stressed, tired, sleep deprived and trying to get a hang on things, emotions are high-strung. What I have learnt is to not compare who is doing more and try to support each other in every way possible because you are a team. Trust me it gets better.
So there you have it, people! As the saying goes, ‘‘to be forewarned is to be fore armed’’. Now that you know some of the things to expect, you can be better prepared for it and not be shocked. Remember, we're all in this together, so share your stories, support each other, and most importantly, never forget the joy and love that comes with being a parent.
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Warmly,
The Neo Childcare Team