I became a dad this year and have really enjoyed it. But finding the time to do anything outside of “sit on couch” when baby is asleep or “keep baby alive” when baby is awake is tough. I wrote a...
I became a dad this year and have really enjoyed it. But finding the time to do anything outside of “sit on couch” when baby is asleep or “keep baby alive” when baby is awake is tough.
I wrote a bit about my experience in my blog that I’m desperately trying to keep alive… spoiler alert I end up talking about my blog in my blog because I’m a boring a**.
How has it been for you guys ?
I had met people before who were like “don’t have kids…” but now I think they are kinda crazy…
It's really hard to appreciate the challenges of being a parent until you become one. Sleep deprivation is one thing, but doing it while caring for a tiny human is a whole other. It's demanding...
It's really hard to appreciate the challenges of being a parent until you become one. Sleep deprivation is one thing, but doing it while caring for a tiny human is a whole other. It's demanding and comes with a slew of self-doubt. Why are they doing that? Are they hurt? What am I doing wrong? Don't get me started on the "they're asleep, oh no, what if they stop breathing... I should check."
I guess what I'm saying is, don't beat yourself up. You have new priorities and they are all-consuming at present. It gets better (and worse) but you'll find you have more time in the months and years to come. You've taken on a new challenge and it's going to be rocky at first, but there's established history of humans pulling through so I like your odds.
Having kids changes you. You're going to have periods of tremendous joy, unmitigated frustration, and deep confusion. You're going to watch them do things you do and be both elated and terrified. You're going to watch them develop their own personalities and you'll be amazed at both their intelligence, and their stupidity. Congratulations, your life is different now!
You'll get there, wherever there is and whatever it looks like, you'll get there. Sometimes you just need to hear someone say as much.
I think it's important to remember that this period of time is temporary. They'll only be infants for so long until they are toddlers, then little kids, then big kids, then teenagers, etc. What...
I think it's important to remember that this period of time is temporary. They'll only be infants for so long until they are toddlers, then little kids, then big kids, then teenagers, etc. What I'm saying is that, in 15 to 20 years, they probably won't need your constant attention and you will have time again for the things you enjoyed before parenthood.
So if you ever miss your pre-parenthood pastimes, just remind yourself that you'll be able to get back to them in just another 2 to 3 decades, depending on whether or not you have other children along the way.
In seriousness, though, parents who make no sacrifices for the sake of their children are not always remembered fondly by them upon reaching adulthood. The sacrifices we make for those we love are the signs of the sincerity of our love, without which our love is meaningless in their life. They are the standards by which we ask them to reciprocate the love we have for them, and, though you might not always feel it right now, the heartfelt love of ones child is one of the most beautiful experiences that life has to offer.
If the bargain is that you lose your blog and gain the love of your child, you have benefitted immesurably.
I recommend making a journal of the funny/sweet things that happen. Record them as close in time to the event as you can, because even later the same day, I would lose the details. Maybe you blog...
I recommend making a journal of the funny/sweet things that happen. Record them as close in time to the event as you can, because even later the same day, I would lose the details.
Maybe you blog them, maybe you don't. But you will have them to look back and reflection on and share them with your child when they are older.
Mine has an entry from day 4 of being home from the hospital that says "We may never eat warm food again."
When I got married, my mom gave me the journal she had from my first year. It is pretty special to me.
I became a dad this year and have really enjoyed it. But finding the time to do anything outside of “sit on couch” when baby is asleep or “keep baby alive” when baby is awake is tough.
I wrote a bit about my experience in my blog that I’m desperately trying to keep alive… spoiler alert I end up talking about my blog in my blog because I’m a boring a**.
How has it been for you guys ?
I had met people before who were like “don’t have kids…” but now I think they are kinda crazy…
It's really hard to appreciate the challenges of being a parent until you become one. Sleep deprivation is one thing, but doing it while caring for a tiny human is a whole other. It's demanding and comes with a slew of self-doubt. Why are they doing that? Are they hurt? What am I doing wrong? Don't get me started on the "they're asleep, oh no, what if they stop breathing... I should check."
I guess what I'm saying is, don't beat yourself up. You have new priorities and they are all-consuming at present. It gets better (and worse) but you'll find you have more time in the months and years to come. You've taken on a new challenge and it's going to be rocky at first, but there's established history of humans pulling through so I like your odds.
Having kids changes you. You're going to have periods of tremendous joy, unmitigated frustration, and deep confusion. You're going to watch them do things you do and be both elated and terrified. You're going to watch them develop their own personalities and you'll be amazed at both their intelligence, and their stupidity. Congratulations, your life is different now!
You'll get there, wherever there is and whatever it looks like, you'll get there. Sometimes you just need to hear someone say as much.
You got this, Dad.
This is amazing! Very well put ;)
I think it's important to remember that this period of time is temporary. They'll only be infants for so long until they are toddlers, then little kids, then big kids, then teenagers, etc. What I'm saying is that, in 15 to 20 years, they probably won't need your constant attention and you will have time again for the things you enjoyed before parenthood.
So if you ever miss your pre-parenthood pastimes, just remind yourself that you'll be able to get back to them in just another 2 to 3 decades, depending on whether or not you have other children along the way.
In seriousness, though, parents who make no sacrifices for the sake of their children are not always remembered fondly by them upon reaching adulthood. The sacrifices we make for those we love are the signs of the sincerity of our love, without which our love is meaningless in their life. They are the standards by which we ask them to reciprocate the love we have for them, and, though you might not always feel it right now, the heartfelt love of ones child is one of the most beautiful experiences that life has to offer.
If the bargain is that you lose your blog and gain the love of your child, you have benefitted immesurably.
I recommend making a journal of the funny/sweet things that happen. Record them as close in time to the event as you can, because even later the same day, I would lose the details.
Maybe you blog them, maybe you don't. But you will have them to look back and reflection on and share them with your child when they are older.
Mine has an entry from day 4 of being home from the hospital that says "We may never eat warm food again."
When I got married, my mom gave me the journal she had from my first year. It is pretty special to me.