My partner and I are about to have our first baby, and while we are thoroughly excited, we are feeling overwhelmed. We know a lack of sleep is on the horizon, and to be honest, we are already experiencing it. Our friends and families are well-intentioned and excited as well, but we both feel paralyzed since they provide us with so much advice. I know that a lot of this is first-time parent jitters, but at the same time, well, HELP! Sincerely: Worried in Ohio.
Dear Worried in Ohio:
First off, congratulations! You and your partner are in for quite the adventure! Here’s the best advice we parents here at Storage Seeker could provide you:
1. Don’t listen to anyone’s advice. Seriously. Those well-meaning friends and family members? Cut out the noise now. If you need advice, ask, but if you don’t, tell them politely that you are doing just fine. Unless your goal is to have your toddler play in traffic, their role is to support whatever you decide to do (even if you make some mistakes along the way). You cannot please everyone (nor should you).
2.) Declutter your home before the baby arrives. Take some time each day to go through a specific room or area, sorting belongings into keep, donate, and discard piles. Many parents even decide to rent a local storage unit nearby to store items that they do not need access to each day. This helps maximize space for the influx of things that will undoubtedly make their way into your home as soon as your baby gets here!
3.) Find a routine that works for you and stick to it. Figure out what works for you each day, and roll with it. You and your baby will thrive off of consistency. Plus, you do not need to answer anyone else. This is your baby and your life. Don’t forget: you need to do what works best for YOU, your partner, and your little one. If that means you can’t make it to an event because your baby’s nap (and the chance for some shut-eye yourself) is more important, so be it!
Remember, you do not need to meet anyone else’s expectations. Build the life you and your partner want to have with your wee-one, creating memories that each one of you will share. By focusing on your own goals, cleaning up and out (renting a self-storage unit if you need to), and falling into a new routine, you won’t even remember life before baby.
Reese Witherspoon once said, “I feel very blessed to have two wonderful, healthy children who keep me completely grounded, sane, and throw up on my shoes just before I go to an awards show just so I know to keep it real.” You and your partner are in for a ride like no other. Cherish every moment of it, refusing to worry about anyone else!
We wish you and your growing family all the best!
