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How to Adjust to the Challenges of Being a New Parent:
Adjusting to parenthood and life with a new child in your home brings a lot of changes. Whether it is adjusting to your new lifestyle or adapting to your new routines, this is a learning opportunity that is full of joys and challenges. Here are some important things to keep in mind when it comes to adjusting to the new challenges that parenthood throws your way.
#1: Adapting to new routines.
A new child in your home brings a completely new adjustment in your day-to-day routines. You are instantly on the baby’s schedule for sleeping and eating, which means you will need to get ready to follow along for the ride. A lack of sleep can greatly impact your energy, patience, and ability to think clearly. To help adapt with new routines, try to take things in stride as much as possible and remember that even though your new baby is demanding a lot from you, you can begin to work on training your baby onto a schedule that works. It will take some patience, but once you have a schedule that works for everyone, things will get a little easier.
#2: Handling emotions.
Becoming a parent is a life-changing experience that comes with a lot of emotions. The emotional highs and lows can be compounded by lack of sleep and hormonal changes, too. To help deal with the challenges of big emotions and feelings, work on processing those with people you love and trust around you. Maybe it’s your spouse, a family member, or even your NCS or nanny. Talk about the things you are feeling and ask for support. The saying ‘it takes a village’ is really true when adjusting to life as a new parent.
#3: Learning new dynamics.
When a new child enters your world, relationship dynamics with your partner, friends, and family will change. You will have to learn how to manage your expectations of parenthood and learn how to navigate what others expect from you as you have a new life to care for. The best thing you can do to learn and adjust to new relational dynamics is to communicate about what expectations you have. It’s also important to remember to take time to invest in the relationships that you had established before your child arrived. Maybe it’s a simple hang out at your home with a cup of coffee and a friend while the baby naps, or it’s a date night with your spouse that you pencil in once a month – taking time to adjust to new dynamics with your baby in the picture is important and well worth the time it takes.
Finding the time to work, pay bills, show up for appointments, and complete household chores might feel like a lot – especially when you want to be present for your child and love them. So, plan on setting some things aside for a while. However, one of the best ways you can stay on top of things is by hiring someone to help you. A qualified nanny or ncs can give you the extra hand you need to help care for your new baby while you work, do things around the house, or simply catch up on things that have been put off. A nanny or ncs that you trust is an invaluable gift!
(shared with permission from International Nanny Association)
