I owe an apology to all the parents who were navigating the wild world of child-rearing before I joined the ranks. Before I had kids, I thought I had parenting figured out. My partner and I used to think, “Cooking dinner while caring for a newborn can’t be that tough. They sleep all the time!” Spoiler alert: We were so wrong.
Fast forward to that moment when our supportive family left, and it was just us. Oh my goodness, how do I even use the bathroom? I can’t set her down for a second. Why won’t she stop crying? We’ve barely eaten! (Okay, maybe I’m exaggerating a bit, but caring for a newborn was a real wake-up call.) We had no clue how to prepare meals while managing a tiny, demanding human—it was an accomplishment just to pour a bowl of cereal! While my partner is an incredible cook, he had to juggle everything else because our little one was constantly attached to me. He even had to assist me in and out of the bathroom post-C-section, while I focused on not passing out each time my daughter decided to gnaw on me with her sharp little gums.
And oh, the revelation that newborns don’t follow any schedules. They’ve just entered this world and have no idea what day or night means—and frankly, they don’t care. So, I sincerely apologize for my previous judgments as I now understand the gravity of sleep schedules.
Here are some of my past misconceptions that I now recognize as naïve:
- Why are parents obsessed with sleep schedules? Can’t they just relax a bit? Absolutely not! That schedule is the fragile thread keeping sanity intact. Let it slide, and you’re in for a long, chaotic ride. My kids finally sleep well, and there’s no way I’m risking that by ignoring nap times. The anxiety kicks in as nap time approaches: “We need to leave NOW!”
- Let’s meet at a restaurant with a kids’ menu for a chill meal. Sure, but there’s no ‘chill’ when you bring a toddler to eat out. Can we meet at 11:15 a.m. for lunch? I have to ensure we’re back in time for naps, and dinner at 5 p.m. is a must. That kids’ menu? My little ones will likely reject every item on it that day. I come prepared for an escape, looking somewhat composed but far from relaxed.
- Just hire a sitter and enjoy a night out. While the idea of “going out” sounds appealing, I’d rather plop on my couch after bedtime, indulge in ice cream, and binge on something utterly inappropriate for children. Even when I’m out, I’m mentally still at home.
- They always use their kids as an excuse. I get it now. No matter how fun the plans are, your child is always the priority. Even if they don’t seem to need you, you’re there. Yes, we absolutely use our kids as an excuse to skip unappealing outings. And that sleep schedule? It rules our world.
- I can’t believe they allow their kids to behave like that. Whether it’s eating junk food or throwing a tantrum, sometimes you just have to make it work. It could be a momentary lapse because of a schedule slip, or maybe it’s just a tough day. Tantrums are part of growing up, and kids can be unpredictably adorable.
So, please forgive my past judgments. Parenting is an eye-opener and a tough journey. We’ll never achieve perfection, and that’s perfectly fine. We can still hang out, as long as it doesn’t interfere with nap or bedtime and avoids questionable food (which is basically all food).
If you’re curious about starting your own journey into parenthood, you might want to check out this insightful blog post on couples’ fertility journeys. And for those seeking guidance on pregnancy matters, this resource offers excellent information. Plus, if you’re in the market for baby gifts, you can find some great options here.
In summary, I have learned that parenting is a humbling experience filled with challenges and joys. We’re all just figuring it out together.