I remember the evening I walked into my daughter’s daycare and the staff had dinner made for the families to take home. I was close to tears as I walked out the door carrying a hot dinner I didn’t have to make. At the time, I didn’t realize how much stress I was carrying and how a simple act of kindness could make such an impact on my day. It’s easier said than done but it’s so important for new parents take time to recognize and manage stress. Duh... Sleep. It’s not as easy as it was before kids but you’re not good to anyone exhausted. With no sleep, patience wears thin and you find yourself off balance. A good night’s sleep or a short nap while the little ones are down can put you right back on course. You’ve got a friend
Find your support system and use it. Whether it’s your spouse, a parent, sibling or friend, you need a sounding board...a cheerleader...a compatriot. Don’t be afraid to share your fears and anxiety with a trusted ally. Verbalizing your thoughts can help to assuage stress.
Take a shortcut
Don’t be afraid to accept help when offered - like the dinner the staff made for us. Order your groceries online and pick them up or, even better, have them delivered. Have a take-out night every now and then. Order baby food from Harvest to Highchair (hint, hint, hint). Every little bit and every minute saved adds up to more time and less stress for you.
Don’t be so hard on yourself
You’ve just given birth! Don’t feel pressured to bounce back to your old self overnight...mentally or physically. Some people do and some don’t. Quite honestly, you will never truly be the same person you were. You are a new version of the best you. Embrace and enjoy the new.
Snuggle
Cherish every moment you have with your little ones and family. Those are the ties that bind and the more you snuggle the better you’ll feel. Your little ones will grow up in the blink of an eye. Enjoy the journey and try not stress the small stuff. Because, in the end, it’s all small stuff.
Xoxo...Ann