Becoming a parent is quite the whirlwind! Here are a few things to keep in mind as you enter the world of parenthood:
1. Chaos is going to ensue....and that's okay!
Your house will not be spotless, you will be sleep deprived, and it will be overwhelming. My advice? Embrace it! If you go in with realistic expectations it will be the most beautiful mess you could ever imagine! Don't over-schedule yourself, don't be ashamed to ask for help, and don't sweat it if you constantly smell like spit up. I promise you that life will regulate and get into a normal groove. In the meantime, just enjoy those baby snuggles and don't stress about the small stuff.
2. It is more important than ever to commit to being a team.
You and your spouse need to decide now to always make parenting decisions together. You also need to make supporting each other through difficult times a priority. Will there be times when the stress of having a new baby gets to you? I guarantee it. Try to keep in mind that your spouse is also running on fumes and is probably just as freaked out about having this tiny human as you are....so go easy on them. Working together and loving your children will actually strengthen your relationship.
3. You can do this!
Whether you are struggling to breastfeed, can't get your little one to stop crying, or are having a variety of other struggles that accompany new parenthood, just know that you can absolutely do this! Things may not go exactly as you'd imagine and you'll have to make adjustments along the way but you'll get through it. Sometimes when we're talking about the difficulties of having a newborn I think we forget to emphasize the most important thing: being a parent is the absolute best thing on planet Earth (if you ask me).
XOXO