5 Things New Moms & Dads-to-be Can Expect with a New Baby

Expecting a baby is a very exciting time in the life of couples wanting a child. As this precious new family member is carried in its mother’s womb, the couple immediately begins to connect and care and wonder…. 

What will he or she look like? Will she have mom’s eyes? Will he have dad’s sense of humor? They even think ahead into the future. What talents and interests will he have? What will she do with her gift of life? How will he contribute to this world?

When the couple’s baby is born at last, they are in awe for they have partaken of life’s greatest miracle. No words can describe the joy and gratitude that new parents experience when the child of their hopes and dreams arrives and becomes a part of their lives forever. A love like they never knew is born into their hearts. It will give their lives new meaning and purpose. It will teach them about sacrifice and selflessness. It will fill them with gratitude and laughter. It will be the beginning of their parenting journey!

As the parenting journey begins, new moms and dad to be can expect some important changes in their lives. Preparing in advance for changes to come can help new parents make successful adjustments to their new lifestyle and build a strong foundation for a happy family and healthy attachments.

Following are 5 things new parents can expect:

1. New moms and new dads can expect that life is never going to be the same.

They now have a 24/7 responsibility to care for their newborn. This means:

* feeding and changing diapers around the clock
* bathing and cleaning up after baby
* having their sleep interrupted
* calming, soothing a crying baby
* keeping baby safe and supervised at all times
* buying baby necessities--diapers, food, clothes, toys, blankets, carrier
* taking baby to pediatrician for checkups and vaccinations

2. New moms and new dads can expect to work as a team or encounter some disputes. Discussing and agreeing upon how responsibilities will be divided in caring for the newborn is very important in providing the best care for the baby. It also keeps each partner from feeling overwhelmed, burdened, or angry with the other partner for not doing their part.

3. New moms and new dads can expect to make changes to their usual routine in regards to work, hobbies, and leisure time. They will need to make arrangements for the care of their baby when they go to work or meet their other commitments. With time for other interests being limited, some may need to be suspended or changed. However, they should never neglect having quality time together as a couple. The health of their relationship has an important influence on them as a family.

4. New moms and new dads can expect to learn about parenting and raising a family in the process of doing so. Parents will encounter new challenges with each phase of their child’s development. They will continually learn about their child’s specific needs and personality. At times it may be confusing and they will not know what to do. It is always wise to seek sound advice and wisdom, gain some parenting tips, and learn about childhood stages. Parenting classes are also very beneficial in providing guidance, tools, and help and support to parents so that they enjoy their job and do it well.

5. New moms and new dads can expect to enjoy their baby. Parenting is hard work with many responsibilities. Besides caring for their baby’s physical needs, new parents ought to nurture their relationship with their baby and attend to his or her emotional and attachment needs as well. These include: playing, teaching, hugging, kissing, loving, and enjoying their baby.

Couples can prepare for good parenting by knowing what to expect, making plans for their baby’s care and upbringing, and having realistic expectations. Parenting is not an easy job, yet it is the most important job in the world. Expect it to be challenging, and more than that; expect it to be the most rewarding and enjoyable experience of your life!

As the parents-to-be eagerly expect their new baby, they plan for his or her arrival. They make room in their homes to welcome their special blessing. The parents-to-be prepare bedding, furniture, clothing and other necessities. They try to make it comfortable, inviting, and safe. They also plan to be the best parents they can be. They do not want to make the same mistakes their parents made. Surely, they hope to model the good practices they were brought up with and not repeat the bad. No parent is perfect and they realize this. Yet, the parent-to-be will still try to be that perfect parent, if at all possible.


5 Things New Mom & Dad to Be Can Expect with a New Baby
Written by Krystal Kuehn.
Copyright © 2010 Baby-Poems.com. All Rights Reserved


Krystal Kuehn, MA, LPC, LLP, NCC is a psychotherapist, author, teacher & musician. She is the cofounder of New Day Counseling, a marriage family counseling and child therapy center, BeHappy4Life.com, an award-winning, self-help and inspirational site where you can find hundreds of free resources, insights & inspiration, and Baby-Poems.com where you can find beautiful baby poems, baby quotes & baby videos that will touch your heart & increase your joy & gratitude for the children you love & enjoy!


* Click Here to Watch the Baby Girl Video

* Click Here to Watch the Baby Boy Video

5 Parenting Tips for Communicating with Children & Teens

There is nothing that adequately prepares us for the most important job there is—parenting. Children and teens do not come with an owner’s manual, and most of our training is on the job. With our own parents as our most prominent role models, we tend to repeat what we have learned about parenting from them. We do our best, learn as we go, and make our own mistakes along the way; but we don’t have to leave our parenting to chance. We can become more effective parents. We can parent with more confidence instead of frustration. Parenting can be enjoyable and rewarding instead of stressful.

Following are some parenting tips for improving communication and building healthy and respectful relationships with our children and teens.

(1) Show interest in your kids

One of the best ways to get anyone to talk is to show interest in them and what is important to them. Sports, music, or any other activity provides great ways to connect and share. Become engaged in whatever it is your child or teen enjoys. It can be anything--watching a football game together, listening to songs and talking about favorite artists, joining a video game, watching your child draw or build model cars, or helping your daughter with her hair and nails.

(2) Initiate conversations

Often parents begin conversations with a question instead of simply sharing their thoughts. Kids are more likely to engage in conversations when they do not feel they have to explain or defend themselves. Letting them know you are thinking about them and that you care about what is happening in their lives are good ways to initiate conversations. Timing is important as well. Good times to talk might be bedtime, while driving, or at dinner.

(3) Make yourself available                                                                            

Sometimes parents get so busy and don’t realize that their children feel there is no time left for them. They do not express this directly saying, “You know, I’ve been feeling neglected lately. It seems you’re so busy with everything and everyone else and don’t make time for me. And when you are with me, you seem preoccupied and distracted.” They might, instead, distance themselves or act out for some negative attention. Making time for kids can be a sacrifice, especially for very busy parents, but the investment is well worth it. Developing a good relationship with one’s children requires time—both quality time and quantity of time. Planning weekly one-on-one time with no distractions is a good idea. Kids want to know that they are important and valued. Making yourself available to them communicates this loud and clear.

(4) Be a good listener

You know you have heard someone correctly when they feel understood. One way to do this is to repeat what you think you heard back to them. They will clarify what they meant if they think you are genuinely interested and trying to understand them. Kids also need to feel safe when sharing their thoughts, with no fear of judgment, being cut off, or causing an angry reaction. It is important to resist arguments and criticism. When there are disagreements, parents can express that it is okay to disagree. Although their thoughts and feelings differ, they are not rejecting their child. Parents and their children will encounter many differences in opinion. However, being a good listener lets your children know that you understand where they are coming from without lecturing or threatening.

(5) Use words to motivate

If you see your children and teens as winners, beautiful, and full of potential, they will know it and act on it. It will show in how you treat them and what you say. As a result, they will believe in themselves as well. Your words have power. The words of a parent can motivate and empower for a lifetime. They can also discouraged and break a child’s spirit if they are negative and critical. We can all recall things our parents have said about us that we have carried with us throughout our lives, such as: I believe in you. You can do anything you set your mind to. You are so smart and creative. Or, you will never amount to anything. You do not have what it takes. You are the ugly one of the family. Let us choose our words carefully. Speaking good things over them, blessing them with our words motivates them to fulfill their purpose in life.

It is not easy parenting children and teens and knowing what to say or how to bring out the best in them. Feeling connected and getting along with our kids takes time and effort. The goods news is that parents and teens can have healthy connections that are founded upon trust and unconditional love. The parenting tips provided above are a good start to better communication and a more rewarding parenting experience. For more tips or help with problems, parents may benefit from parenting classes or family counseling.

Copyright 2010 All Rights Reserved. Written by Krystal Kuehn. NewDayCounseling.org

Children need love, especially when they don’t deserve it. ~anonymous

Love is the greatest gift that one generation can leave to another. ~Richard Garnett

Krystal Kuehn, MA, LPC, LLP, NCC is a psychotherapist, author, teacher and musician. She is the cofounder of New Day Counseling Services, a couples, family counseling and child teen counseling center, and BeHappy4Life.com, an award-winning, self-help and personal growth site where you can find hundreds of free resources, insights and inspiration.