Babys First Year Blog
When Did I Figure Out the Answers?
This little guy has already taught me so much!
When I was pregnant, I would see moms with strollers and babies and I would often catch myself staring at them. How did these moms know what they were doing? Were they as scared and clueless as me back when they were pregnant?
When I was little I used to ask my mom how she knew certain things, and her answer was always the same – “They teach us that in mommy school.” For a long time I believed this school actually existed. Now a mom myself, there are definitely days when I wish it did.
I went for a walk the other day with a pregnant friend who was sharing some of her own worries – diapering, childbirth, balancing working and parenting – when I suddenly found myself offering answers and advice. Holy crap – when did I become someone with more answers than questions?
While I know there is still so much I need to learn, and I often find myself running to baby books or Dr. Google, I’m amazed at how much knowledge and confidence I have gained in just five weeks.
I have learned that there are often no right answers, just instincts. Every team of baby and parent is different, and the only way to learn is to navigate the bumpy road together.
I wish I could go back to my pregnant self and calm many of those fears that kept me up late at night. Would I be able to breastfeed? Would childbirth be horrific? Will I be a good mother?
I realize now that perhaps there is a mommy school after all. It isn’t the one I envisioned as a young child, with rows of moms lined up taking notes in a classroom. But rather it is right here in my house, taught by my newborn son. Here’s hoping that as he continues to present me with new challenges and questions, I am able to keep providing him with all of my best answers.
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6 Comments
Roni commented on Nov 28 11 at 7:13 amLove this post. You are so right! I learn something new daily from both my kids.
Amanda Perry @ Sistas of Strength commented on Nov 28 11 at 9:01 amGreat post and I think so many people feel this way. I have found that when it comes to taking care of my son, sometimes instinct is just the best way, rather than going by what everyone else says! What works for some, doesn’t work for others. :)
marci commented on Nov 28 11 at 9:28 amThanks for the needed reminder! Whenever I feel like I’ve learned something and understand something new, I know there are more questions coming soon! The journey to understanding is part of the process!
Thrifty Mum commented on Nov 29 11 at 2:57 amLove this! My husband managed to run a 20 min q&a with our son’s school class of fellow five yr olds yesterday. He used all the chatting-with-kids skills we’ve picked up one small step at a time in the few yrs we’ve been parents. We were laughing as we imagined just how differently the session would have gone (not in a good way!) had it happened BC (before the children). We’ve learned SO MUCH!
I’d still sign up for ‘Negotiating with Toddlers 101′ at your Mommy School though ;)
Tricia commented on Nov 29 11 at 8:44 amI can assure you that as I sit here nursing my fourth baby I still feel the same way as you, but can still offer advice to a new mom. And I wish there was a book about raising a mouthy 4-5 year old. A baby seems like a breeze now! (but I know it isn’t!)
Lynn commented on Nov 29 11 at 8:50 amLove this: “Every team of baby and parent is different, and the only way to learn is to navigate the bumpy road together.”
This hits home for me, most especially, after having just endured another family dinner where grandpa criticized my children because he feels he has the right, as their grandfather, to tell me what I am doing wrong. (I calmly explained to him that I am not concerned that my son was under the table because he would eventually eat and would eventually learn table manners and that three years old is a little early to expect jr. to use a knife and fork with proper table etiquette. I am okay with my son being a barbarian and he should not compare him to the random kids he see’s out in the neighborhood or at restaurants because he does not know what goes on at home with those kids.)
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