Tips for New Moms – What Our Panelists Wish They Would Have Known

interview with a one year old
What a one-year-old might say.

This week our panelists go back in time to when they were new moms. Offering you advice and wisdom from what they learned and what they wish they would have known if they had to do it over again. The tips for new moms below are based on over six decades of experience.

Amy Brown

 

Listen to your intuition but also seek the counsel of the best moms you know. That’s a win/win combination for figuring out how to approach all the new things first time parenthood offers.  Amy B. – 40 something

 

Life Coach

Each phase is much shorter than you think.  Cherish the ones you love and try to laugh through the ones that make you nuts.  Jamee – 40 something

 

Amy C.What I would tell myself?  Learn what you can control and what you can’t.  You can’t control what your kids excel in and what they struggle with.  You can’t control other bumps in the road that life may put your way.  You can’t control preconceptions others have about parenthood.  You can’t control your own humanity and the fact that there are only so many hours in the day no matter how much you want to get accomplished.  Amy C. – 40 something

 

mariacowellI would say R-E-L-A-X! You don’t need to make all your baby food from scratch and use only cloth diapers! Instead do what makes it easier to enjoy and love your baby instead of  what you think makes you a “good” mother. The next biggest advice is: do not compare! Do not compare your parenting style with other moms. You, and your baby, are unique and so is your relationship. Only you can love and care for your baby the way that is best for him or her.  Maria C. – 50 something

 

Marge G.1) Enjoy them!  2) Relax and let the unimportant things go. 3)  Trust myself.  Don’t let other peoples’ opinions or comments bother or influence me.   4)  Read the parenting books.  Absorb the useful and practical information and toss out the fad stuff.  5) Make sure good medical resources are on my speed dial. Schedule regular doctor and dentist appointments.  6) Arrange a support system for when the going gets tough or when I just need a BREAK!  7) Take care of myself physically, emotionally, and mentally.  8)  Develop new family traditions as well as carry on the important old ones. 9) Love my children for who they are rather than what I hope or expect they will become. 10) Avoid blame or guilt for parenting.  I’m only human!  11) Don’t criticize other parents.  Usually they are doing the best they can. 12) Introduce the little ones to the world.  Travel, get outside, explore!  13) Don’t be afraid to monitor friends, family, or outside influences.  They can’t do it for themselves yet. 14)  Do as much of the parenting myself as I can.  Try not to leave it in the hands of day care or baby sitters.  While well intentioned I know I  will miss out on important milestones.  Last, acknowledge that parenting is the hardest job in the world and don’t let frustration or anxiety defeat your efforts.  Marge – 70 something