Entering into parenthood is hard!

Let me begin by saying this … entering into parenthood is hard. You can read about it, you can think about it, you can even see your friends go through it, however becoming a parent is something you truly need to experience to appreciate. And boy, an experience it is!

I am the proud mother of a beautiful baby boy, now 17 months old, and despite feeling a little more secure in my role as a mother/nappy-changer/meal-planner/wardrobe-stylist/children’s-entertainer/cleaner/librarian/forehead-kisser/educator (no pressure), I’m still feeling the aftershocks of his tremendous explosion into my life.

I have always wanted to be a mum and don’t get me wrong, it’s better than I could have ever imagined, but along with his adorable little fingers, sweet stubby toes and bright blue eyes came a myriad of milestones I had no damn clue how to deal with. And what’s more, who or where to turn to for advice.

I wish my husband and I had this blog in our early days of parenthood. Frantically searching for answers online in the middle of the night, while nursing a ballistic baby, with little to no comfort from the answers I could find was a regular occurrence.

“What does it say?” I’d scream to hubby trying to be heard above my colicky baby's cry.

“I dunno,” he’d respond desperately, “everyone has a different opinion!”

Having the ability to pose a question specific to our little man, day or night, and receive not only an educated response from a child and family expert, but feedback from other new parents going through similar angst, would have been an invaluable asset to us.

Similarly, having a blog where we could learn from others, and professionals, how best to communicate with each other about the new world we had entered into as parents would have been a blessing.

I found myself at my whits’ end one day when our son was 3 months old. Having sterilised bottles, prepared formula, hushed and soothed, wrangled a pram and changed the umpteenth nappy and posit covered onesie that day, hubby arrived home to find me rather frazzled (insert pyjama wearing mess in desperate need of a hug and some sleep.)

He took one look at me and said, “I’ve been at work all day. What do you want, a medal?”

After the clouds of smoke erupting from my ears had dissipated and I’d released my jaw from its clenched position, I responded, “Why yes! I bloody well do!” Let’s just say, if looks could kill …

I suppose I look at this blog as my new baby, and as I now know from having my own, it truly takes a village to raise one. … that’s where you come in!

In order to make this blog what it is, a valuable source of both health professional advice and peer support, your contributions are key. From commenting on a post to writing your own blog, there are many and varied ways to be involved with this platform and as the blog’s new editor, I’d love to hear from you via email.

Being a parent is the most challenging job we will ever undertake and so hopefully, this insightful blog and our free downloadable app will allow you to transition into your new position with a little more confidence to fulfil everything in the job description.

If you do happen to be reading this in the middle of the night comforting a crying baby on your chest or are reading this as your little one clings insatiably to your hip as they have all day, I’ll leave you with this …

You’re not alone. We have all cried, “what were we thinking!” And want to know something? One day you’ll no longer do so.

Posted in: A new reality Every baby is different In this together Mums Your needs