There is a slew of advice to be found in the mom-blog universe, so I’ll leave the methodical parenting to the experts (ha! The experts. Really, YOU are the expert re: your own children. But I digress.) I’m pretty good at giving practical, bullet-point style advice and now that I have three boys of my own, I do have a bit of experience under my belt. So for all you mamas spending your days and nights with little people, under the ages of 4, lets say, here’s some nuggets-o-widsom.
Stick your mug of room-temp coffee back in the microwave and zap it- you’ll be done reading by the time it beeps.
1. Decide on the right bedtime for your child and stick to your guns. This is my number one for a reason. Once you figure out the best time (for your family’s schedule) to get the babies in bed, DO NOT WAVER. I’m not telling you how to do it -because every kid is different and has different needs- but I also know that every kid needs sleep. Like, at least 8 hours, but more like 9 or 10 when they are this young. (They are growing and learning like crazy! Their minds and bodies need the serious rest.) Life is busy and things come up, but try and be as consistent with their bedtime as humanly possible and you will reap the reward for it. Kids love routine. (This applies to other areas, but I’ll let you expound the idea as you wish.)
2. Take your vitamins. Your own vitamins, mama! Basically I’m saying, don’t neglect your own health. Our immune systems change as we have young children and we might need more help (vitamins, supplements, etc.) staying healthy than we previously did in our pre-kid life. Eating healthy is great, drinking water is a must, exercise seems like a dream right now, but we’re all taking baby steps here. Start with a women’s multivitamin, a probiotic, and some fish oil and go from there.
3. Hang in there! There will come a day when you will have an intelligent conversation with your child. I know it seems like the only thing you will ever talk to them about is snacks and PJ Masks, but eventually you’ll be driving down the highway and *out of nowhere* they will ask about heaven and won’t that be fun! You got this, mom. 👊
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