1. Never judge other parents, ever. We are all in this stage of life that is so incredibly unknown and new, and if something works for a parent, let them go with it!
*side note: I feel so terrible about ever judging parents before I had kids. I had NO clue what it was about, so how did I feel like I had authority to judge?!
2. Just when you think you have a stage figured out, the kid will change. Just yesterday this happened for me- the swing has been AMAZING for getting Lucy to nap. But today she wouldn’t have anything to do with it! I laid her in her crib awake, and within minutes was asleep. What?!
3. Parenting trends like “co-sleeping” should actually be called survival mode. I thought we could pick and choose what methods we wanted. No ma’am- it doesn’t work that way. Some nights, I am so exhausted that when Lucy wakes up to eat (which is less and less these days) I bring her to bed with us so I can nurse and sleep. Did I plan on co-sleeping? No! But does it work some days? YES.
4. Always judge your gut instinct. When Lucy wouldn’t sleep and was constantly crying as a newborn, I knew something was wrong but I couldn’t figure out what right away. Email or call the doctor when you feel this way! I wish I had called sooner.
5. Be willing for everything to take longer. Like loading up the car to go anywhere. Unfailingly, the second after Lucy gets strapped into the car seat, there is a dreaded noise that results in a quick diaper change. Every. Single. Time.
6. Lower your expectations. Don’t expect a clean house, a clean outfit, all the laundry done, and your teeth brushed. Maybe choose two of those- (teeth brushing being one).
7. To forget about buying anything for yourself again. It’s way more fun to shop for a little human. Everything is so tiny and cute!
8. Coffee is necessary. Forget what some hard core people will say about babies not needing caffeine so breastfeeding mom’s shouldn’t drink it. It’s all about surviving! And just because something might not benefit my child doesn’t mean I don’t get to enjoy it, right? Some of you probably are thinking, “Bad mom of the year quote.” But come on!
9. Take advice gracefully. Some is helpful, some is not. But accept it all and pick what you want to actually follow. And some won’t even work for your child anyways!
10. Learn to laugh at yourself. It beats crying and feeling down!