5 Things No One Warns You About When You Have Kids
Having children is a unique challenge in life that can feel overwhelming, exhausting, and lonely at times. There are thousands of blogs, vlogs, and advice columns online for new parents, and when you’re expecting your first you are definitely going to receive a ton of unsolicited advice from friends and family. But even still, there is plenty that no one warns you about when you have kids— here are some of the most important ones to keep in mind.
Transitioning To A Crib
If you sleep with your newborn in your bed, eventually there will come a time to transition to a crib. One thing you probably haven’t been warned about though is what a nightmare this can be! Transitioning to a crib is stressful for both the parents and the baby, and can take much longer than you expect. Be patient and let the baby cry it out as much as possible, but be warned that this will break your heart a little bit.
Sleep Deprivation
Sure, you’ve heard that you’ll lose a lot of sleep with a new baby in the house. But the level of exhaustion you will experience is truly unlike anything you’ve felt before in your life. And this extends well beyond the newborn phase and into toddlerhood and childhood. Make sure to get sleep whenever and wherever you can, and don’t be afraid to hire a babysitter every so often to get some extra shuteye.
You Become A Different Person
When you have children, one of the things that may surprise you is that you might become a totally different person than you were previously, to the point you’ll barely recognize yourself. You will become so nurturing and protective and will feel emotions you have never felt before. This is all normal! Just make sure you give yourself time to adjust and practice self care whenever you can.
Picky Eaters
Some kids are just picky eaters no matter how adventurous you try to get them to be. Try not to blame yourself, and don’t be too hard on them or punish them by withholding food. Instead, you can offer small rewards like dessert or a small toy in exchange for them trying new foods.
Costs
Most people know going into parenthood that having children is going to cost a lot of money, but are still surprised by how much it actually does cost. Food, diapers, furniture, clothes, and school are all things that add up. Not to mention you might have to move to a larger home or more safe neighborhood. Not to say these costs aren’t worth it – they definitely are – but being prepared for them will definitely help you in the long run.
Just because no one warned you about some of the challenges of parenthood doesn’t mean you have to be unprepared for them! Consider these 5 things and you’ll be ready for anything your children throw your way.