It’s widely acknowledged that infants don’t emerge from the womb with a detailed guidebook in hand. There’s no formal training or certification required to become a parent. You can simply walk out of the hospital with your newborn, filled with pride, yet utterly clueless about what lies ahead. How many of you paused your car on the way home to ensure that your baby was still breathing? I know I did—twice.
Once you settle in at home, the reality of sleepless nights filled with diaper changes and feedings hits you hard. Your life has fundamentally changed. Now, you’ll prioritize another’s needs above your own, and that someone demands your full attention. It’s both exhilarating and overwhelming—a mix of fear and empowerment. It’s everything you anticipated and yet nothing like you imagined. Welcome to parenthood.
As you navigate this new world, external voices will inevitably intrude, offering advice, warnings, and judgments. With countless methods to tackle parenting, someone is always ready to critique your choices. Suddenly, your precious little one is on a timeline to achieve various milestones: the first smile, the first tooth, the elusive full night’s sleep, crawling, walking, and talking—even mastering the potty!
Attention new parents: all these milestones will indeed occur.
Okay, maybe not the last one about reciting Shakespeare while standing on their heads, but it’s not a critical life skill anyway. You won’t see many adults wandering around with pacifiers (though I might have some embarrassing stories from my partner’s bachelor party). Those early morning wake-up calls and late-night crib parties might feel endless, but rest assured, this phase will pass. Parents of teenagers often find themselves shouting at their kids to wake up in the morning. Plus, I’ve yet to meet an adult who still needs their mom to tuck them in at night—that would be a deal breaker!
You may find yourself worrying that everyone else’s child is already running around while your little one seems content shuffling on their bottom. But when they finally take those first steps, prepare for a swell of pride that makes you want to shout it from the rooftops. Yet, amidst that joy, you might shed a tear for the time that has passed—the days when you could leave the room without them following, or the gummy smile that didn’t try to nibble on your finger unexpectedly. Yes, even those 1 a.m. cuddles will be missed—maybe not right away, but eventually, they will tug at your heartstrings.
With each milestone you encourage and celebrate, you move further away from the tiny bundle you cradled in the hospital. So during those exhausting nights filled with endless feedings, remember that it won’t last forever. In what will feel like the blink of an eye, you’ll be shopping for school uniforms and pondering how your baby grew up so fast. You’ll marvel at this walking-talking little individual you created, who suddenly has their own thoughts and is not afraid to express them.
Some milestones will come easily, while others may take time and effort. You might occasionally wonder if you’ve got a future prodigy on your hands, while at other times, you might worry they’re lagging behind their peers. But through every triumph, challenge, and struggle related to milestones, that little person you’ve nurtured will always be perfect in your eyes.
For the little one who may not be reciting Shakespeare just yet but could definitely give Usain Bolt a run for his money—and rocks a hat like no other.
This article was originally published on Jan. 25, 2010.
To continue your parenting journey, check out our post on the At Home Insemination Kit for additional resources. For expert insights on early childhood development, visit Intracervical Insemination. If you’re considering IVF, Healthline offers valuable information on the process.
Summary:
Parenthood is a journey filled with unexpected challenges and delightful milestones. From the initial joy of bringing your baby home to navigating sleepless nights, every stage brings its own unique experiences. While you may find yourself overwhelmed at times, remember that each milestone is a step toward independence for your little one. Embrace the ride, for it will pass faster than you can imagine, leaving you with cherished memories of your growing child.