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by Lisa Dunning, MA, MFT
You have now joined the club of sleep deprivation, constant
worrying, conversations about poopy diapers and experiencing fluctuating doubts
and anxiety as to your ability to parent. Becoming a new parent can be stressful
and exhausting but it will also be the most rewarding experience in your life.
As a parent and a Parent / Child Relationship Specialist, I have discovered
5 effective techniques to become an effective, nurturing, loving and responsible
parent of a newborn.
In
Our Store
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Learn to take care of yourself first:
However exhausting being
a spouse, a parent and working inside and/or outside the home can be, if you
do not take care
of you, then your other responsibilities
will suffer. Taking a 10-minute bubble bath, or reading a book that you
enjoy for 5 minutes or taking a 10-minute nap will rejuvenate you so you
are more
able to take on your other roles.
Trust in who you are as a parent:
Being a parent seems to be open game for criticism and scrutiny. You will
notice that many other people in the community will offer you advice and
scrutinize the methods you are using. Some advice will be good, some will
not, and a lot of advice you hear will conflict with each other and your
opinions about parenting. Be open to new ideas and advice, but in the end,
remember that you are the parent. Trust that you and your spouse will make
the right decisions for your new family.
Make time for you and your spouse:
Being a parent does not mean that you and your spouse are no longer a couple.
Parenting is the only relationship where you are working toward separation.
Remember, eventually your child will become independent and move out. You
do not want to reach that day and find you are living with a stranger. Work
on getting a babysitter you will trust with your child so you and your spouse
can enjoy much needed and deserved time alone. If you and your spouse are
happy, your baby will be too.
Allow your spouse to join in:
Sometimes new parents become
possessive of their role and feel that nobody can parent or change a diaper
the way they can. Even if that is true, your
spouse needs to be able to bond with the baby and feel confident that you
will support their efforts and not scrutinize them. Enjoy the time they spend
together. Take advantage of this time by using it to take a little break from
the demands of baby care.
Enjoy your new family:
The most important aspect of being a new parent is to enjoy it.
You will notice that weeks turn into months and months turn into years and before
you know it your baby is no longer a baby. Cherish each moment and enjoy your
new role and family!
Other articles you may find interesting:
Read
Lisa Dunning's Biography. Lisa is the author of
the eBook "How
to Parent Together When Your Parenting Styles are Worlds Apart",
available in our store.
*The
articles published on this site undergo our review process. We found the information
in this article to be very useful and informative. |
