There will never be a 100% perfect baby guide. Nobody can predict how your child will react, nor should anyone impose their parenting style on you. With that in mind, I’d like to share 10 quick tips I believe all new mommies and daddies could use. No matter how you choose to raise your child, the suggestions below will help you stay sane during these crazy times!
Are you a new parent? First off, congratulations! Secondly, prepare yourself for a TON of baby tips from yours truly!
While your friends and family might mean well with all these “parenting hacks,” it can be a tad overwhelming for first-time parents. Add in the infinite pages of childcare info available on the Internet, and you’re bound to fry your brain.
Honestly, there will never be a 100 percent perfect baby guide. While experts, friends, and family can help, please remember to trust your mommy instincts. Nobody can predict how your child will react, nor should anyone impose their parenting style on you.
With that in mind, I’d like to share ten quick tips I believe all new mommies and daddies could use. No matter how you choose to raise your child, the suggestions below will help you stay sane during these crazy times.
10 Easy & Essential Tips For New Parents
1. Watch Out For Dehydration
Without water, we’d all die. Ok sorry, maybe that’s a little morbid, but it’s true! Unfortunately, toddlers are particularly susceptible to dehydration, especially after they’ve suffered diarrhea or vomiting. For this reason, please keep oral rehydration solutions in your home at all times. Fresh fruit juice and watered-down tea are some of my favorite options for your littles!
You should also encourage your child to drink purified water throughout the day. You might also want to buy electrolyte packets or Gatorade, especially as your kiddo starts playing outside.
Of course, please contact your pediatrician if you have any concerns about your child’s health.
2. Look Before You Lock – Avoiding Heat Stroke
Somewhat related to dehydration, there has been a shocking rise in the number of children who suffer heat strokes throughout the US. Alarmingly, the Weather Channel says at least 38 children die every year from being locked in the back of a car. This statistic hurts me to hear — we must do better!
As a new parent, you’ll want to get in the habit of checking your car before you lock up, especially if you live in hot states like Florida, Arizona, or Texas. If it helps, place one of your child’s toys in the front seat to remind you there’s a baby on-board.
For more info on this public safety issue, please read this webpage by the National Weather Service.
3. Build Your Baby’s Brain With Books
There’s no way around it: books build babies’ brains. Reading to your child every night won’t only give them a massive boost in their schoolwork, it will also get them curious about everything under the sun.
For more details and suggestions on reading to your child, click on this informative blog post.
4. Don’t Neglect Money Matters
Just like learning to read and count, kids will look to you to better understand finances. Recent research out of Cambridge suggests little ones already have their financial habits set by the time they turn seven.
As your children grow, be sure to teach them how money works and set examples for frugal spending. For instance, when you go grocery shopping, let your child know your thought process behind every purchase. It’s also a good idea to have your children physically handle money and purchase items.
Please take responsibility for your children’s economic education…otherwise, they might fall prey to a spendthrift!
5. Be Wary Of WiFi
No matter your opinion on digitization, it’s impossible to escape hi-tech gadgets nowadays. Unfortunately, video games and social media apps have their downsides, especially before bedtime.
Scientists now know blue light from screens can interfere with our normal circadian rhythm. To ensure everyone in your home gets the sleep they need, it’s best to set a “screen curfew” at least 30 minutes before bed.
Also, keep in mind that half of all children claim they feel their parent is “distracted” while looking on the phone. Be extremely careful where you choose to check all those work emails — your child could pick it up the wrong way.
6. “Delete” Nature Deficit Disorder
Only in the 21st century could Nature Deficit Disorder be a real medical condition. As you might’ve guessed from the name, this disorder is caused by a lack of time spent outside exploring the natural world. So sad, ugh! Unsurprisingly, technology is the biggest reason kids are choosing to stay indoors rather than expanding their imagination outside.
There’s plenty of research suggesting that kids who spend more time outside suffer fewer anxiety issues as they grow up. Of course, time spent outside also encourages kids to get into a healthy exercise routine.
Be sure to schedule at least one hour every day to play with your kiddos outside!
7. Store Your Precious Pics On The Cloud
One of the nice things about living in our hi-tech era is that there are plenty of ways to save your most cherished images. Be sure to invest in a high-quality cloud service to store all of your favorite baby photos — because, duh, you’re going to be taking a bunch! Even if your physical photos get damaged or lost, you’ll never have to worry about losing your pics on the Web.
Check out this blog post for expert advice on the top cloud services for photo storage.
8. When Anger Happens, Let It Happen
No matter how patient you are, sometimes your temper will flare-up. Please don’t beat yourself up; it’s all a part of parenting!
In these moments of smoldering anger, try your best to remember you’re not seeing clearly. If you have enough mindfulness, it’s best to leave the room for a few minutes and breathe. Only revisit the problem at hand when you feel you can see it with more objective eyes.
And don’t worry if you make a few mistakes along the way. It’s healthy for your child to see you mess up now and again. Just be sure to apologize and laugh it off.
9. When You Have To Vent, Know Where To Go
Please don’t keep all of your frustrations bottled up inside. Whenever you feel like things are getting too complicated, reach out to someone you trust for a venting session — I would love to be that person! If possible, speak with someone who has experience with parenting so they could relate to your struggles.
Also, remember that postpartum depression is a real and treatable condition. If you ever feel like you’re “too blue,” please speak with a doctor for professional medical guidance.
10. Gratitude Is The Attitude!
To end on a positive note, consider adding a “gratitude journal” to your daily routine. Take a few moments to reflect on your day and write down something special that makes you smile. As your babies grow older, be sure to include them in this daily ritual.
Plenty of research shows that actively expressing gratitude could make a positive impact on our psychological health. You’ll be surprised how this simple act can affect your family’s quality of life in the most beautiful way.
