Thursday, September 4, 2008
Grand-parents: how to deal with their "help"!
This topic is very hot for me right now. You see, my parents have been visiting us for two weeks now, and we still have a couple of days left in this adventure. Of course, it has it's advantage to have "babysitters" that sleep in our house every night. I have to admit that my husband and I really enjoyed having our old life back for a couple of days. But while we were enjoying ourselves, the grand-parents were taking over...
I was the youngest in our family, and I'm 35. My mom had me when she was 35, and I now, have an one year old. On that part, we kind of connected. Beside that, a lot has changed in 35 years. The breastfeeding, the formulas, the safety, you name it! I stopped counting after two days how many times my mom would say: "Well! When you were young, I was giving you this... or we were doing that!!!" But, you know what? There is a reason why we don't give this or do that anymore! I just don't know them all!
From the first 5 minutes after I picked up my parents at the airport, I must of "traumatized" them at least a dozen times. I know that because they keep bringing it up: "If you would do this...". Even thought after the first day, I sat down with them and I explained to them our choices and reasons behind everything my husband and I decided, they kept wanted to say their two words. They understood everything, but it was not going to stop them!
I finally came to realized that communication is the key in situations like this. And, of course, being patient can always help! The conversation that I had with them at the beginning of their trip, helped out a lot. Every time they kept going over board with their "advices", I would bring up our conversation, and they would shut up! I think I might of make them understand that we are the parents and we're making the decisions for the best of our baby. They are the grand-parents, they should just enjoy spoiling her... ... and they did!!!
I was the youngest in our family, and I'm 35. My mom had me when she was 35, and I now, have an one year old. On that part, we kind of connected. Beside that, a lot has changed in 35 years. The breastfeeding, the formulas, the safety, you name it! I stopped counting after two days how many times my mom would say: "Well! When you were young, I was giving you this... or we were doing that!!!" But, you know what? There is a reason why we don't give this or do that anymore! I just don't know them all!
From the first 5 minutes after I picked up my parents at the airport, I must of "traumatized" them at least a dozen times. I know that because they keep bringing it up: "If you would do this...". Even thought after the first day, I sat down with them and I explained to them our choices and reasons behind everything my husband and I decided, they kept wanted to say their two words. They understood everything, but it was not going to stop them!
I finally came to realized that communication is the key in situations like this. And, of course, being patient can always help! The conversation that I had with them at the beginning of their trip, helped out a lot. Every time they kept going over board with their "advices", I would bring up our conversation, and they would shut up! I think I might of make them understand that we are the parents and we're making the decisions for the best of our baby. They are the grand-parents, they should just enjoy spoiling her... ... and they did!!!
Monday, September 1, 2008
A little advice could go a long way.
One thing that I really liked at my baby showers (yes, I had two;-) is the "advice book" or the "advice cards". As a new mom, I didn't know what to expect, so all suggestions and comments were very appreciated!
One of the good advices that I received is to: "write everything down!" I personally use a calendar just for the baby. The day that she said "mama" for the first time, I wrote it down in the appropriate day. And one of these day, when I'll have time... I can grab my calendar and transfer everything in my baby's memory book. Because, let's face it, who has time to go ahead and write everything down in their baby book as they do something new... not me!
A lot of people wrote: "Enjoy every moments!" Everybody keep saying that! Enjoy while they're small, they grow up so fast! Well guess what? They do! Take a lot of pictures, it's a little piece of memory every time!
Having a baby is a lifetime changing event. Your life as a couple will never be the same. You went from a couple to become a family. But, you know what? To have the best family you can have, you need to spend some time as a couple. When your friends and family offer you to babysit, say YES! Go and have a date, just you and your husband! That was the best advice I got. What is the best advice you ever received?
One of the good advices that I received is to: "write everything down!" I personally use a calendar just for the baby. The day that she said "mama" for the first time, I wrote it down in the appropriate day. And one of these day, when I'll have time... I can grab my calendar and transfer everything in my baby's memory book. Because, let's face it, who has time to go ahead and write everything down in their baby book as they do something new... not me!
A lot of people wrote: "Enjoy every moments!" Everybody keep saying that! Enjoy while they're small, they grow up so fast! Well guess what? They do! Take a lot of pictures, it's a little piece of memory every time!
Having a baby is a lifetime changing event. Your life as a couple will never be the same. You went from a couple to become a family. But, you know what? To have the best family you can have, you need to spend some time as a couple. When your friends and family offer you to babysit, say YES! Go and have a date, just you and your husband! That was the best advice I got. What is the best advice you ever received?
Vaccines: DO or DON'T ???
As of new parents, a lot of decisions will have to be made. Some are a no brainer, while others could be a life changing event. One of the most important decision that could affect the health of your baby is about vaccination.
I remember, our daughter was a few hours old, when the nurse asked us about the hepatitis B vaccine. Now, our little girl will be a year old this week. Which means that we have another visit to the doctor coming up. And what comes with the visit? Vaccination. Well, maybe we are late, but my husband and I start to wondering about all these vaccinations. I know we should of done our homework a little bit earlier, but it's better now than never! I just watched a video with Jenny McCarthy talking about her son's recovery from autism:
http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/04/02/mccarthy.autsimtreatment/index.html#cnnSTCVideo
In that video, she pointed out that in the 1980's, children received 10 vaccines by age 5, but today, they are given 36 immunizations, most of them by age 2. She is not saying that the vaccines caused it, but they played a role in her son's autism. While we'll keep searching for answers, I would love to have comments, suggestions or actual stories to help us take the right decision for us! So what do you think about vaccines?
I remember, our daughter was a few hours old, when the nurse asked us about the hepatitis B vaccine. Now, our little girl will be a year old this week. Which means that we have another visit to the doctor coming up. And what comes with the visit? Vaccination. Well, maybe we are late, but my husband and I start to wondering about all these vaccinations. I know we should of done our homework a little bit earlier, but it's better now than never! I just watched a video with Jenny McCarthy talking about her son's recovery from autism:
http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/04/02/mccarthy.autsimtreatment/index.html#cnnSTCVideo
In that video, she pointed out that in the 1980's, children received 10 vaccines by age 5, but today, they are given 36 immunizations, most of them by age 2. She is not saying that the vaccines caused it, but they played a role in her son's autism. While we'll keep searching for answers, I would love to have comments, suggestions or actual stories to help us take the right decision for us! So what do you think about vaccines?
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About Me
- Patsy
- Lees Summit, MO, United States
- I'm a wife and mother of one and a small business owner (Champagne Baby). We focus on helping first-time parents by being honest and practical with our topics and our products.