When people say children grow up so fast, they aren’t kidding! I had my first child last summer and he will celebrate his first birthday in less than a month. It’s crazy. This first year has been a blissful blur. Motherhood is magical but I think it goes by so fast because we are constantly trying to figure out how to care for this little one in our already busy routine.
We are hustling to keep up with baby’s ever-changing needs. The sleep schedules, food charts and tiny teeth popping through are just a few things that can throw off baby’s normal schedule. “Normal schedule” – I can’t even say that with a straight face. There really is no normal! Once you finally feel like you figured a few things out, the routine might make you feel like a normal human again but it will soon change. It’s all good. This is motherhood and fatherhood and it will keep you on your toes! There will be so many moments that melt your heart that will make it worth the chaos.
Because children grow up so fast, it’s a good idea to start thinking of things you can do now to help them out for the future.
1. Savings plan. Whether it’s for college, wedding fund or a little help with a first time home purchase – it’s nice to set aside money with the intentions of giving to your child. Talk to your spouse about what type of savings or investment is the best fit. You can start a savings account or a 529 college savings account. You could also get creative and invest in stocks or a property and cash out when it’s time to give to your child.
2. Write a Letter. Write them a letter now for graduation day. It will be like a fun time capsule that shows your feelings and emotions. It will also be special for them to feel how much you loved them when they were so small.
3. Read about Parenting. It is important to understand your child’s needs. Being a parent is hard and doesn’t come with a universal manual. Every child is so unique. But, you can do your due diligence as a parent and read tips and advice from other parents that might help you! About 75% of the things I learn about being a mom are from reading articles and asking others for advice! We have some awesome articles that help get your baby sleeping through the night and tips for getting through those rough teething stages. Learn what you can now on the different stages your child may go through so you can be as prepared as possible.
4. Give them Confidence. What kind of person do you want your child to become? Do you want them to be confident and follow their dreams? Do you want them to be a kind and giving person? You need to be the person you want your child to become as they will observe you everyday and learn from your actions. It’s a lot of pressure, I know. But everything you say and do will impact them. Build up their confidence and start teaching them young! If your child is constantly questioning you and asking “why” when you tell them to do things – don’t get frustrated. They are learning and figuring out boundaries. It’s important to question the “why”. Think of them in a future work environment. Would you just want them to obey every order from their boss? Or would you want them to respectfully challenge people and ask, “Why are we doing it this way? What’s the benefit?” Or maybe you want them to be their own boss! Teach them how to be a leader and how to think outside the box to do great things in this world.
5. TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF. I can’t stress this one enough. It may be one of the most important things to remember. It’s not a selfish thought. You need to have good mental and physical health to be the best parent possible. The first six months of being a mother was rough. I refused to take any time for myself because my baby needed me. I didn’t take breaks and I didn’t ask for help. I lost my mind and had meltdowns. For the first time in my life, I felt like saying, “I can’t do this.” I had never had that attitude before but I was just so burnt out and exhausted. Finally, I started asking for more help and taking small breaks here and there. I gradually started to feel like myself again and found more joy in being a mother. Instead of stressing about all the chores I had, I would divide and conquer with my spouse and then we would play with the baby together and it was so fun. Don’t forget to treat yourself with care and kindness.
If you have any questions on this topic please reach out to us! We would love to hear from you. It’s always great to follow along on the journey of parenting. Please comment or reach out to us through our Contact page or social media platforms. Thank you for reading. Don’t forget to subscribe to us if you would like to receive updates on new blog posts, new product and special discounts! Don’t forget to browse our shatter-resistant glass bottles that come in a variety of fun colors and different sizes. Our bottles change color based on the temperature of the contents to warn when the liquid is too hot for baby! Thanks for checking us out!
