Do you remember what you used to think parenting was like, and then, having a moment as a new parent when you asked yourself why no one had informed or warned you about something you had just experienced?
I’ve had those moments many times.
For example, I didn’t realize that kids could be potty trained in a week. True story - my husband did this with both our kids.
I also didn’t know how difficult breastfeeding could be or that I’d STILL have to make my kids brush their teeth and shower each day at the ages of 14 and 15.
At first, I thought it was just my kids, but I came to find out that a ton of teens resist personal hygiene for some reason.
AND, get a hold of this…..
THEY STILL FOLLOW YOU TO THE RESTROOM to ask questions.
I suppose I’ll have to pee undisturbed until they move out of the house one day.
Lastly, I had no idea that I should have researched my child’s school's anti-bullying policy BEFORE she began school. Really, I should have been more informed about bullying overall, because it’s so prevalent in society.
Because I didn’t know this, and because I don't want any more parents to have to struggle to collaborate with their child's school, I created the Diversity & Anti-Bullying Academy (#DABA).
So, I want to know from you…what advice you would give a new parent?
and…
What do you wish you would have been told before becoming a parent?
Just to give you an idea of what some people have shared, here are a few responses I’ve already received.
- You don’t have to do it alone.
- That we have so much help available to us, workshops, classes, etc., in our communities.
- I wish I would have been told shown exactly how to open up a 529 college savings account
- Me: I would have been told that school is more political than you think - school
- Teach them to be self-sufficient
If you want to share your responses post them in the comments or email them at [email protected].
I will then share responses in another newsletter, and on social media (without using your name).
Thanks again for reading this blog post, and for giving me a purpose to keep it going.
Dali
|