Looking back on becoming a parent, there are three things I wish I had:
1. MOMMY CLASSES - Why don’t they have actual “How to be a Mom?” classes. (I mean, you get Lamaze classes, breast feeding classes, preparing for c-section classes, VBAC classes, hospital tours etc… but no actual mommy classes.) What do you do when you are so tired and the baby won’t be quiet at 2 a.m. What if the baby doesn’t take the bottle nipple you bought and you have to buy 10 different ones to find the right fit for your baby? How do you handle these situations?
2. LIFTING CLASSES - New moms are not physically prepared for carrying their infants. While you are pregnant they should provide weight lifting classes for new mommies. You get out of the hospital and you are expected to carry this tiny little baby, no sweat, right! Then you add the 20-pound car seat, your purse, the diaper bag - and if this is your first baby it will be filled to capacity with everything under the sun.
3. And, last but not least… A PARENTING HANDBOOK - I often wondered this as I experimented my way through with my oldest son, Kaleb. Surprise! There is no handbook of which I speak! It is merely a trial and error situation.
You have been so excited leading up to the moment when you take your little cherub home with you after his or her birth. You celebrate in the homecoming with friends and family; then in a couple of nights around 4 a.m. when you are really tired, the baby has its days and nights mixed up, why? Because the nurses rarely shut the lights off at the hospitals….and you are wondering what are you going to do with this child? A handbook would be really handy at this point in time don’t you think? Sorry.
Although there is no parenting handbook from the hospital, the Bible is full of wonderful guidelines and reminders for parents. Verses like…
Psalm 127:3 (Contemporary English Version)
Children are a blessing and a gift from the LORD.
Often during the 4 a.m. feedings and times when we are frustrated as new moms and even as moms of teenagers, we need to be reminded that our children are blessings to us from our Heavenly Father.
I have a 15-year old son, an almost 13-year old daughter and a 10-year old son. I remind myself of this verse almost daily and sometimes hourly.
Whether you are a new mom and in the midst of baby spit up, dirty diapers and bottles; or, being a PTO mom, running to little league, ballet, and gymnastics; or if you are breaking up fights and arguments and figuring out creative ways to discipline your teens - you can confidently claim Psalms 127:3 as a daily reminder that your children are indeed blessings!!
Many blessings to you this week as you lift your baby weights and chuckle…as you wonder about the Mommy Classes… as you write your own Parenting Manual…and as you remind yourself that “your children are a blessing!”
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Michelle - I'd love to know more about you! Where's your bio info!!!! Great article - and so encouraging to those who are probably thinking the exact same thing!
It will be coming. Thanks for your kind words. I am really excited about doing this!!
Love it!
Thanks so much!!!
Girrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrl!!!!!!!!!!!! I am so proud of you!!!!!!!!!!! This is a great, practical, insightful post and I'm thrilled to death that you're blogging for Hope. You go, girl!
It's funny you say there is no one to teach mothers today. It is true but it's not what God intended. Up until the 20th century women learned what they needed to know about the basics of raising children from their own mothers. When mothers stayed at home they took daughters into the kitchen very young. When they gave birth to new children the older ones were automatically given responsibilities to help Mommy. It put off much of the jealousy and taught the older sibling as part of daily life. That seems to be somewhat lacking today so new mothers feel overwhelmed and end up helping each other with ideas as they figure them out.
Very nice article! SO true. I was blessed to have been raised in a Christian home with LOTS of opportunity for baby-sitting so I was more prepared than some.
So often, we try to be lone rangers and only get discouraged and frustrated. I encourage new moms to find a bible study, support group or other form of connection. YOU WILL NEED IT!
Thanks for sharing.
So very proud of you Michi! Love this! So true.
I'm glad to say I know Michi! GREAT article and well-said, Michi! The sky is not even the limit for you! Reach high girl!
Very insightful, my friend! Great article… so proud of you
Love ya!
Love this! I have thought the same thing many times. We talk about this a lot in our pregnancy book because even my OB (and co-author) says there's too much focus on the 9 months of pregnancy and not enough on preparing you for the 18 years that follow! Thanks for the post!
Ain't that the truth!!
Great post, Michele! I remember my fear when they told me I was ready to go home with my baby. I knew I did not know enough, LOL. And those sleepless nights, how well I remember
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