Advice This Maternity Nurse Tells New Parents…And Grandparents!
The birth of the royal baby has obviously been the highlight of the news this week. (The stars must have aligned perfectly on July 22, 2013, because coincidentally, it was a very busy delivery day at the hospital where I work too!) As I’ve watched the media scrutiny and press coverage that has taken place while this birth has been anticipated, it made me appreciate even more the calm demeanor and lovely graciousness exhibited by the new royal parents! Can you imagine having millions of onlookers as you maneuvered your newborn’s car seat into place for the first time! I’ve also been amazed at the volume of parental advice already being offered up by these same news sources! I would imagine that like many couples I see as they plan to welcome their new babies into the world, Prince William and Kate Middleton consulted their obstetrician and prepared themselves as best they could for the birth of their son.
Along with showing their child the abundant love that seems to come inherently to help guide the decisions and actions of new parents, I trust that the royal couple will rely mostly on the examples shown them by their caring parents and good friends. As public figures, more than likely what Prince William and Kate, along with their sweet baby, would appreciate most from those who are so fascinated with their lives and more than eager to share their vast knowledge about child rearing, is what most new parents want, that of being shown common courtesy and genuine regard from everyone as they try and navigate what is best for their family! 
- If ever there was a time for team effort, parenthood would be it! Sharing ideas and making plans together as you welcome a new baby into your life makes it so that no one feels left out or too overwhelmed. I always cringe a little when I see a new mom or dad (or for that matter, a grandma or grandpa) feeling inclined to criticize how the other is caring for their new little baby. Believe me, there are many ways to do the same task when it comes to caring for a newborn, so unless you don’t want much help with the job at hand when raising a child, it’s best to kindly acknowledge the efforts of others and work together!
- As mentioned in my about me introduction, the social media age we live in has created an onslaught of information out there for parents-to-be! It’s wise then to become well-informed about the expectations and trends you’ll encounter with a new baby, but it’s also smart to trust your own good instincts when it comes to knowing what’s best for your new little one! Babies are much more resilient than we fully recognize at times, but extreme measures are usually never in the best interest of either the baby or the parents. (I also think as grandparents that we need to trust in the job we did raising our children; they’ll usually ask if they want our advice! Our own good instincts will also guide us to know when to lovingly offer help.)
- No matter how much you study and prepare as you embark on the journey of parenthood, the learning curve will most likely be wide and varied –especially since the disposition of each child is so different! It seems cliché, but just like the words uttered at an amusement park ride–hang on, hold tight and enjoy the ride!
My sweet granddaughters, Makena and Marli as newborns!
What I’m learning now is…
As a grandparent, the one thing I know for sure is that before you know it, your children are grown and raising families of their own! The best advice I got as a young parent was from my mom one day when my children were little. I had anxiously exclaimed that I would be glad when they were old enough to take on more of their physical needs. My mom wisely cautioned me when she said, “Oh Mary, you’ll find that each stage of your children’s lives is busy–it’s just a different kind of busy! You’ll worry and care about them just as much, if not more, when they get older!” So true! What I’m learning now is that being a parent of older, married children still has its hard challenges and sacrifices, along with its joyous blessings! But just like when our children are young, it’s all so worth it as we get the privilege to watch them work hard to accomplish their goals and live their dreams! We should always cherish the opportunity to share in our children’s challenges and heartaches, as well as their successes and triumphs! (I also know that Princess Diana would have loved being a grandma!)
What are some things you’ve learned on your parenting journey, or as grandparents?
–Mary