My first baby was born at the end of winter, and it took me a little while to be comfortable getting out and about (I did have a C-section which complicates things). More often than not the effort to get the little one bundled up and out the door just seemed like TOO MUCH, and I holed up at home. Looking back, I can see how that contributed to the feelings of isolation that new moms often get waylaid by. So I was more intentional about playdates after I had baby #2.
4. BUYING ALL THE THINGS
As a first time mom, I thought my baby needed NEW everything. Looking back, I see that some gently used things and less things in general would have met his little needs JUST fine. My subsequent kids definitely had more “used” stuff.
5. Not Letting My Husband Do Enough for the Baby
I was more than happy to let my husband change diapers, but when it came to the baby’s routine, I was less flexible than I should have been. I believed that my way was not just the BEST, but the ONLY way. It took awhile for me to see that my husband was just as intuitive a parent as I was and that his ways weren’t wrong, just different. I know I made him feel “less than” sometimes by not being open to his parenting plans, and it was something I changed with our other kids.
Being a first time mom is totally overwhelming and wonderful, and I don’t think I screwed it up TOO badly, but I am so glad I was given the chance to learn from my mistakes, too. What advice would you give to a first time mom?
