11 Things Parents Wish They’d Knew At The Start Of Their Parenting Journey

Becoming a parent is a big, big thing. Possibly the biggest, most life-changing thing that could ever happen to a person. Once you have a child, you’re responsible for them for a minimum of 18 years. You have to raise them to the best of your abilities, passing on the lessons you’ve learned along the way while helping them to come into their own personality. It’s a tough job, and it shouldn’t be taken lightly.

That’s why we’re going to list 11 things parents often wish they had known at the start of their parenting journey. If you read this you’ll be ready when you decide the time is right for you to have kids!

1.The First Few Months Can Be The Hardest Time

The first few months of parenting can often be the hardest of your life. Their cries are heart-breaking and completely go through you at the same time. You’ll be running each day off no sleep, only able to grab it when they are sleeping – and that’s if you’ve not got anything important to do.

It’s a bit like a boot camp in terms of toughness, but you will get through it eventually. Until then you need to enjoy the simple things in life, like a hot shower.

2. You’re Going To Miss Sleep Like Crazy

Lack of sleep can make you feel like you’re going crazy sometimes. You might find that your mind is all over the place and that you feel forgetful. Even when they are sleeping through, you’ll often have late nights and early mornings due to getting them ready for school. Sleep will be something of a mystery for you over the next few years, and there’s no real way to prepare for it. Just make the most of it now!  

3. You Don’t Need All of Those Baby Clothes (Probably Not Even Half)

As soon as you announce you’re having a baby, people will bombard you with the cutest clothes. It’s highly unlikely you’re going to need them all – you probably won’t even need half. It’s a real shame, but you could always give the clothes away to other expectant parents or charities to ensure they don’t go to waste!

4. There Are Different Types of Baby Coughs – So Know The Difference

Not every baby cough is the same, and knowing the difference between them can give you a good idea of what’s going on. It’s normal to panic whenever your baby makes a strange noise, let alone a cough, so get familiar with the different sounds.

5. Children Are Very Expensive

Children are extremely expensive. They will be the most ongoing expensive thing you have ever experienced in your life. They need diapers, toys, teething items, shoes they grow out of super quickly, food, medicine, and so much more. Then, as they get older, school and extracurricular activities, more clothes, technology, and so on. Having your finances in order can really help!

6. Working from Home Is Great (Up To a Point)

If you can work from home to be with your child, then you absolutely should. It’s a great way of making money to support your family all while spending time with your kids. Great stuff! However, you can only work from home up to a point. Your kids will struggle to understand that you’re not immediately available for their every whim and need. You may still need to get childcare after a certain point, regardless of where you work.

7. You Shouldn’t Worry Too Much If Your Child Isn’t Reaching Development Milestones

Each child develops at their own pace, so you really shouldn’t worry if yours isn’t quite the same as the kids at nursery, for example.

8. It’s Ok to Take Hundreds of Pictures and Videos of Your Kids

You will never, ever regret having thousands of pictures of your offspring. You’ll love looking back at them once they are grown, as they grow so quickly! Don’t let anybody tell you to put your camera away. You can make some amazing family photo albums and scrapbooks, and of course you’ll probably want to embarrass your child on their 18th birthday!

9. Going Out Different Places Gets Harder

Going out places with children is way harder than going out alone. First of all, you need to make sure you’ve packed everything but the kitchen sink. You need their food, you need toys and distractions, you need a whole list of things that you didn’t need before. Then there’s always the chance of leaving or dropping something somewhere because you’ve got so much stuff. Oh, and the toddler tantrums. We won’t even discuss those.

10. You’re Going To Change As a Person

When you have children, you’re going to change as a person. You’ll likely become more hyper aware of your surroundings, pay more attention to detail, and suddenly become obsessed with the colour and consistency of baby poop. However, you’ll be a better person for it. You’ll be kinder, more empathetic, and more responsible – the list goes on. As long as you know this is the right time for you to have a baby, you can expect to change for the better.

Don’t forget though, you’ll still enjoy many of the things you used to before you had a baby, and you shouldn’t feel guilty for having your own personality and hobbies. You’re still your own person, so don’t lose yourself in parenthood completely.

11. You Wouldn’t Be Without Your Children

As challenging as your children may be, you wouldn’t be without them. You’ll likely find yourself struggling to leave them when you get invited places where children can’t go. You’ll probably cancel plans, and FOMO will become a thing of the past. Many parents will tell you though, that children are absolutely worth it.

Did you know these things about parenthood, or have you learned something new today? Leave a comment below and let us know. Good luck on your parenting journey!