When I found out that I was pregnant back in 2007, I wasn’t online like I am now. I was the first of all my friends to have a baby so I didn’t really have a network of veteran moms close to my age to talk to and compare notes to. I bought a ton of books to read through but it just wasn’t the same as having a good group of mom friends to chat about the worries of pregnancy and caring for a newborn!
Well, of course I got through my pregnancy and that first hectic year with Hayden as a newborn. When Hayden was around two, I started reading more mom blogs and realized that I wanted to start one too. I loved the idea of a place where I could share my experience as a Mom. Almost 4 years later, I love every time that I get a comment or an email from another Mom asking a question or needing advice about a parenting situation I have been written about.
When I found out I was pregnant in 2012, I thought that I was a pro! Hayden was almost 5 years old and I imagined that much hadn’t changed since he was a baby. Well, life laughed at me and gave us twins! Talk about being unprepared! Again, I read a lot of books but luckily I had this blog and friends online and off to reach out to about twin pregnancies and the challenges fun of raising twins.
Finally, a lot of my friends are starting to have babies and I’m always asked for advice. Besides the obvious about sleeping when the babies sleep and don’t be afraid to ask for help, I always tell Moms to trust their instincts. There have been many times that others have dismissed feelings I’ve had about something going on with my kids but there’s a reason they call it a Mother’s Instinct. Trust your gut and don’t be afraid to stick up for your child!
Almost every day it seems I come across a new question or challenge as part of being a parent. That’s why I’m excited that Playtex Baby put together a virtual network of parenting experts so moms and dads can find common parenting ground and support each other through sharing stories, tips, product reviews, insights and unique experiences of parenthood. I am excited and honored to be a part of the 2014 Playtex Baby Mom Trust Panel. I can’t wait to share more about my experiences as a Mom of 3!
What’s a piece of advice that you always give to new Moms?
I’m with ya – I thought I knew everything by the time my second son came around, but I was shocked at how much had changed in the three years since I had my first. This sounds like an amazing network for new parents!
I completely agree with how important it is to trust your mommy instincts. I swear that there is no one in this world that knows my child as well as I do, her father included. There is something special about being a mom and it includes a unique connection with our little ones. I always know when she is not herself, sick, bothered, or needs a little extra attention.
I would give Moms the advise to be positive – you can still say no to them but encourage them to do things that they should do rather than say NO all day long. It’s tough to be positive when you are over tired and hormonal during the first part of your new motherhood – but eventually you will get the hang of it and raise happy children!
I had so many questions when I was a first time mom. My best advice: Don’t expect to be perfect. No one is.
you can know it ALL and then a new baby comes and bam! someone throws you for a loop. that’s the fun and terror of having kids. but in the end its all worth it
I always tell new moms to SLEEP when the baby does. I have 4 little ones myself, so lots of experience over here to.
I went through that with each kid. It was learning something new each time.
I like the idea of a mom’s panel to give advice. I would have liked it years ago when I was a new mother.
I think you’re a wonderful person to be a part of this. I love that there’s a place where new moms can turn for advice, questions, support and even friendship!
Aww, it must have been such a special experience to be pregnant with twin babies!! That is soo cool! I bet this network of moms is amazing!
I always make sure to tell them to buy rechargeable batteries and rechargers for all of the toys. It is a worth while investment
Don’t be afraid to ask for help! Congrats on the beautiful twinsies!
Haha it’s amazing how our attitudes change. I love having a community of mothers around me for advice but I feel like the best piece of advice I have is to trust your mommy instincts. No one know their baby like their mother!
Don’t you just love the online community for sharing parenting stories and tips? I wish I’d been online more when my first was born!
This sounds like a great network to join for support!
Sounds like a great network. A million years ago when I had little ones, it would have been very nice to have a place to connect with other moms and get advice. My advice, relax and enjoy your little one.
You can sleep when the baby is sleeping seize the time for resting and I have 3 children sleepy haha but I love my kids!
I love reading other mommy blogs as i have a 5 and a 3 year old…I learned very quickly to ask for advice and not think I knew everything…ha!
So excited to be on the Mom Trust with you! I totally agree with you on the mom instinct. You truly have to listen to your gut and trust that you know your child and family better than anyone else.
Congrats on being selected! It sounds like a great network. Honestly, I wonder what we all did before we had message boards and internet searches and Facebook groups to make sure that chewing an orange crayon was something that happens and nothing to freak out over.