5 Tips for Every First Time Parent

Soon enough you will be able to look back on the first days of your parenting with your child and you will be able to sigh with relief you made it. One of the biggest worries from parents is that its just "too hard". We sometimes give the role of parenting a title that makes us think its just impossible. But truth be told, we were developed to be able to have children, and raise them too. thats right! It may feel awkward at times. I know a friend of mine will not hold any children because she is afraid of dropping them, and as a new parent you may have felt that way at some point. Some things are overwhelming but relax, kids don't worry that they don't know how to be a kid, and we parents shouldn't worry we don't know how to be a parent, cause thats what we are. Like Nike says, Just do it!

Here are 10 simple tips for overcoming you fears, and releasing the calm confident parent in you!

Tip # 1) You won't hurt them when getting them dressed- Oh how easy it is for me to remember those days when my kids were screaming as if they had just lost an arm, as I struggled to get their tightly closed fists through the sleeve of their outfit. They are crying because they are uncomfortable, but they are not in pain. Its new for them to feel naked and have the air touch them, the have clothing pulled over their head, its just not what they are used to. So they just want it to stop, but fear not, you are not hurting them, they are just complaining in the only way they now how..by crying, and crying, oh and crying!

Tip # 2) Colic is not caused by a parent who can't calm their child! You may have heard of Colic, many infants experience the screaming on hours on end, for no apparent reason. Many doctors believe there is a tummy discomfort that causes these outburst, but truth be told no one knows exactly what makes a child colicky. Let me assure you, its not you. I know you tried burping, caring, patting, changing, even a bath and it yielded no result. thats okay, this too shall pass. Meanwhile, you may find it helpful to visit your nearest health food store e for a homeopathic remedy for colic. these are safe for your infant and many parents have had nothing but good things to say about these products, the worst that could happen , is it didn't work, but at least you tried! After all thats what parenting is about.

Tip # 3) Its okay, they DO sleep a lot. Not many parents tell you this, as a matter of fact, you may have heard that being a parent, in the beginning means walking like a zombie for the first 3 months. This is not true. What makes parents exhausted is most babies wake up every 2-4 hours to eat, and to be changed. So your not getting your typical 8 hours of straight sleep, followed by some nights of belly aches, gas, and colic. The underlying truth is your baby may sleep for 14-18 hours a day, just not all at once. Go ahead take a nap, after all broken sleep is not as satisfying, so even if you find your sleeping for more then 8 hours a day, its still not consistent, and its interrupted. I had to include this tip because as an infant, my mother rushed me to the hospital because I was sleeping too much. I was her first!

Tip # 4) You won't drop them. Sometimes holding your child, especially the first few times, you feel like you just may let go, or they may squirm right out of your hands. Your parental instincts will not actually let this happen, your just nervous, try to get over the fear, by holding your child while sitting, laying or resting. Then when you star to walk around you will have already mastered the cuddling position you will hold him/her in.

Tip # 5) You don't have to be perfect. This tip lasts a lifetime. As parents you will make more mistakes then you can count, and the best part...it's okay. No really before you had kids, you already came to the realization that in life you don't always make the perfect choices, you have messed up at work, in school, in relationships, and parenting is no exception. Just learn from each passing mistake and know your child wont hold it against you..not yet anyway..just kidding. Relax. you know your heart, you know everything you do is for the best interest of you child, right or wrong..you did it because you cared. Period