Today we want to share with you 4 things that all parents should remember, a reminder to us all that we are doing a good job and to enjoy parenthood.
Accept it and then find your new normal
When you first become a parent, nothing can prepare you for how much your life will change, both practically and emotionally. Your life has now changed forever more, so we suggest that you first accept that and accept that things are very different now.
Once you have accepted that everything has been turned upside down, you need to find your new normal. You will need to adjust to a new routine and acknowledge that in the early days of parenthood you will be all consumed with your new little person. Do not panic, time for you will return, babies grow very quickly.
Sometimes we can fight against the changes that parenthood brings which makes the days much harder. Accept them, embrace them and enjoy each stage as they really will fly by and there will be time to adjust and grow yourself along the way.
No-one has it easy
In the days of Instagram-perfect family photos and #blessed Facebook statuses, it can seem as though everyone else has this parenting all wrapped up. This is not the case, no-one has it easy.
Do not fall into the trap of thinking that you are getting everything wrong when your little one is not sleeping through the night, becoming a fussy eater or throwing tantrums every single day. Every parent has moments of self-doubt, guilt and worry, it is completely normal. You are doing the best job that you can, and some days will be better than others.
There is always help at hand
Parenting can be hard and there are days when it can feel lonely. That is why you always need to remember that there is help at hand.
Whether you need some specialist advice from online experts or some known family law firms or you just need a friendly ear to listen to you and talk everything through with, people are only too happy to help.
If you have friends and family, call them up and ask them for a catch up over a coffee or look out for parenting groups, playgroups or allies at the school gates.
Do not ever feel that you are alone, there are plenty of people out there happy to help you at any given moment, you just need to reach out.
Enjoy the little moments
It can be easy for the little moments to get lost in the ordinary or the chaos. We tend to focus in on the milestones and the family holidays and days out, rather then the everyday moments. But it will be those little moments that bring us the most joy, so do not neglect to savour them.
The morning cuddles, the words that they mispronounce, the noisy bubbly bathtimes and the bedtime stories. Those things that you probably see, do and hear most days, and those things that you will one day realise have stopped, have gone.
Take a moment to appreciate the little things, however ‘ordinary’ they might appear to be at the time.
