Becoming a parent is a beautiful opportunity. It’s also an honor that not everyone is able to have, due to a variety of reasons. But here we are, blessed with beautiful babies that are simultaneously the best thing that ever happened to us and the reason we get no sleep. But becoming a parent is not just about raising a new life—it’s also about becoming a new person and learning new lessons about life.
Though there are many things you learn when becoming a parent, these are four lessons in parenting that you can carry with you for a lifetime.
#1 Find Balance Between Yourself and Parenting
When you were growing up, your life may have centered around yourself and your development. You were focused on your career, learning, or whatever path your life was taking you. But then you decided to have a child, and that is a beautiful decision. This means that your life has a new center. Your focus will shift to the child and raising them.
Of course, this doesn’t mean that you should put yourself aside entirely. If you lose yourself in your role as a parent, you do a disservice to your child. Your child is looking to you to set an example, but if you’re just focused on being a parent, they’ll pick that up.
Find that perfect balance between being a parent and being yourself.
#2 Patience Is a Virtue—And One That Is Learned
We all think we’re patient people, but that’s never truly tested until we become parents. Having children puts your patience at a new level that compares to nothing else. Raising a young child and teaching them about the world means that you have to see everything in a new light.
You have to put aside your impatience for your child. Patience is something that can be observed and taught. If you have road rage, you can’t just shout with your children in the car. Think of your child as a sponge; they’re soaking up everything. This is whether you know it or not.
#3 Know You’re Part of a Community
When you become a parent, you become part of a community. You’ll realize this when you first take your baby out, and other mothers suddenly strike up a conversation with you.
Being part of a community also means that there are resources and bits of wisdom available that other parents have learned through trial and error. Parenting resources like mytravelingbaby.solutions, for example, will have tips on all aspects of parenting, from advice for first-time mothers, to increasing milk supply, reviews of car seats and more.
Sometimes these resources can simply be good for moral support and to let you know that your little family unit is not alone. Especially in the early stages of your child’s infancy, you might feel like you’re stuck at home. But online parenting communities offer a way to reach out, get advice, and sometimes just chat and be social.
#4 You Can Never Show Too Much Affection
If you think you are being overly mushy with your child, you’re probably not showing enough affection. Even if you’re kids show that they’re annoyed by it, they love it deep down inside. Showing affection can be displayed in a variety of ways. You can kiss and hug your child, words of affirmation, or just being there for them when they ask.
Being a parent is an honor and a great responsibility. It’s something that is a unique experience no matter how many children you have. With these pieces of wisdom from fellow parents, you can be the parent you strive to be and support your child in their development.
Finding a balance…. I’m almost 8 years in and still haven’t managed that haha!