How to Deal with New Parent Jitters
Having a new baby for the first time is super exciting, but it is also nerve-wracking. Most new parents haven’t even held a baby before and now they’re about to care for a baby every day for the next 18 years. If you’re about to be a new parent, have no fear because there are ways to deal with those new parent jitters.
Don’t Be Scared
Although it’s easy to be scared about being a new parent, don’t be. You’ll do great and it’s important that you tell yourself this and believe it. That little baby is depending on you to give them a good life and they know you’ll pull through
Give Yourself Grace
Keep in mind that no new parent is perfect, just as no veteran parent is perfect. The only way to combat those mistakes you’ll make as a new parent is to forgive yourself and grant yourself grace.
Keep Your Parents on Speed Dial
For all of those times that you thought you knew what was best, you will realize you were quickly wrong. Although we’d like to think our parents don’t know what they’re doing, they really do. When that new baby comes, keep your parents on speed dial. You’ll have a ton of questions to ask them and that is okay. Those new parent jitters go away when you have someone to talk about your parenting fears.
Get Some Practice In
As mentioned before, most parents-to-be have never even held a baby before. If you have a baby in the family or close to you, ask if you can help out. It’s so nice to be able to have an idea of what you’re doing before your baby gets here. Plus, just like with anything else, practice makes perfect! The more time you spend with babies, the better off you’ll be in the long run.
Take it in Strides
Being a new parent is something you figure out as you go. Some things you will be great at and other things you will need work in. Don’t beat yourself up and realize you will need to take this whole parenting thing in strides.
Being a new parent comes easy to some and is harder for others. Ask for help when you need it, learn to forgive yourself, and learn as you go. There’s no certain way to parent. And if you do compare yourself to other parents, you’ll quickly beat yourself up.
