Every new parent feels it; the joy of holding your offspring, the thrill of just watching the little one cry, smile, suck and poop, and of course, the fear of not doing something right.
Becoming a parent releases an avalanche of novelties; a new baby (or babies), new reactions to hormones, a new family schedule, etc., and yes! An overwhelming deluge of parenting tips from family, friends, and self-help experts- plenty of which you won’t be able to use.
Caveat: This baby doesn’t come with an instructional manual to help you embrace your new role. Thus, here are the top 5 parenting tips that would come in handy.
Ask for Help
Unlike previous times where grandmas, aunts, and other family members lived with new parents to help out with chores and caregiving, in 2021, new parents can easily find themselves without assistance. Constant attention is very much needed for newly born children. And when both parents work, the stakes become higher.
It’s a no-brainer that a vital parenting tip is not to hesitate to ask for help. Sometimes paid help also provides much-needed relief.
Keep Observing
There is a pressing need for parents to be very observant. Newborn babies do not come with a how-to manual; they instead come with many questions and virtually no answers. Questions on their behavior and appearance like; how much can our baby see or hear? Why are their genitals swollen? How do we look after our baby’s umbilical cord? Just stay calm and be prepared to learn on the go, seek professional help, and over time you’ll see you are doing a great job.
Observation has proven to be a great skill in caring for infants.
Create Time for your Partner
Another parental tip of great value is for couples to create time for one another. Following childbirth, it might take a while for couples to want to get under the sheets again. Other romantic gestures, even as simple as holding hands, may unconsciously be relegated to the backseat.
Some dads feel neglected as the new mom dotes on the baby, and some moms take a while coping with post-partum issues. Having your partner’s support is always a big plus, and deliberating on personal and parenting issues would lead to making the right correctional decisions.
Create Positive Memories
When babies are born, they have about 100 billion brain cells. These cells have relatively few connections. Connections are responsible for our thoughts, our personalities, and our actions. Connections are created and enforced by the experiences across our lives.
This is a vital parenting tip; give your child positive memories. This will provide them with the ability to create positive experiences for themselves and also for others.
Keep Showing Love
Parents try to navigate the dynamics between showing affection and enforcing discipline. Thankfully, there is no such thing as loving your child too much. Loving them cannot spoil them. Only overindulgence and replacing real love with superfluous things can.
Showing love to your child (or children) is so simple- you love them already, now demonstrate it! Little things like an unrequested hug would let them know how much you feel about them. As they grow, make it a point of duty to spend time with them and listen to them every day.
Congratulations on the arrival of your child! Note that once you’re doing your best as a new parent, you’re already doing a great job. And if you’re struggling, don’t be afraid to ask for help and implement the top parenting tips discussed above.