Becoming a new mom or dad is a transformative and exciting experience, but it can also be so overwhelming that it causes a lot of anxiety. Parents are the main caregivers so it’s important that they are taking care of their children and themselves.
We want to help reduce your worries by sharing expert tips on basic steps to set up your family to be successful and well-protected, from creating a positive work/life balance to securing life insurance.
Life Insurance for Parents
Having a life insurance policy is one of the most important things that parents can do for their new family. It’s often put off because of the many other important priorities of taking care of children.
There is no one-size-fits-all life insurance policy but you can educate yourself about the best policy for your situation. Your age, how many children you have and their ages, and if your spouse has a career are variables in determining the life insurance coverage needed for your family.
You can research insurance quotes online or work with an insurance agent to find the best life insurance for parents. Many employers offer a basic life insurance policy, but this may not provide the necessary financial support. An additional life insurance policy will give your family the peace of mind they deserve if something unexpected happens to you.
10 Positive Parenting Tips
It can be hard for new parents to discern all of the advice that’s out there. These positive parenting tips include simple words of advice for new parents.
#1 – Educate Yourself About Developmental Milestones
Developmental milestones include things like rolling over, smiling, and walking. While children develop at different rates, these developmental milestones should be occurring around the same time for most children. Milestones happen in the way children play, think, interact, move, and speak.
If children are not reaching these developmental milestones within a certain age, it may be a warning sign about a possible delay or medical concern. Parents should familiarize themselves with these milestones and age ranges so they can seek professional help if needed. A health care professional can help evaluate children when parents have a concern about a child not reaching developmental milestones.
#2 – Always Remember Safety
It is your job as a parent to make sure your home and the environment are safe for your baby or children. The safety of your children should always be on the forefront of your mind. Preventing accidents or injuries to your baby is easy, but you must be aware and attentive.
Make sure you are putting babies on their back during sleeping, cutting food into small pieces to prevent choking, and properly using car seats for safety. You should also never shake a baby and keep them away from secondhand smoke.
#3 – Interaction Is Important
Bonding and interacting with babies and children is very important to help develop an emotional connection and attachment between parents and children. Singing, reading, talking, cuddling, and playing with your baby are great ways to interact. You should also smile, laugh, and hold your baby.
Babies feel secure and safe when they receive attention from their parents. Take breaks if they become fussy or need to eat or sleep. Spending this time together and interacting as children grow will help raise them into caring children.
#4 – Keep Health in Mind
To keep babies and children healthy, make sure they are getting adequate sleep, a nutritious diet, and plenty of movement. There are many guidelines for first-time parents that provide general caring information for proper feeding, sleeping, and bathing.
It’s also important to take care of your health too. We know the importance of exercise and a healthy diet in preventing diseases, managing weight, and managing overall wellness.
#5 – Find Balance
Many parents put their needs on the back burner because babies and children have so many needs that come first. It can be very challenging to manage a career and a family while also finding time for yourself. Parents also have to find a way to take care of themselves as well in order to be the best caregiver possible.
It’s also very important to get as much sleep as you can. Many parents are exhausted and sleep deprived, which can affect mood, emotions, and keeping up with responsibilities.
#6 – Talk With Others
Being a new parent can feel lonely at times. It’s important to have a social network and outlet for sharing your feelings so they don’t become overwhelming. It helps to ask questions and get options from others, whether they are professionals or experienced parents.
This could be as easy as sharing your thoughts and feelings with family members, friends, or other loved ones. You could also get involved with a group for new parents because many of you will be having similar concerns or feelings.
You may also want to consider finding a trusted counselor or therapist. Taking care of your emotional and mental health will ensure you can put your best foot forward while taking care of your family.
#7 – Ask for Help
many people are eager to help when a family welcomes a new family member. While it can be difficult to ask for help, it may be just what you need.
Others don’t know if you need help with cleaning, chores, running errands, having time to yourself, or taking care of the baby unless you ask. It does take a village to raise a child, so reach out to your village when you can.
You can ask a loved one to watch the baby while you go to the grocery store. You might ask a neighbor to watch the baby for an hour while you take a nap or bath. You may want to hire a babysitter or nanny so you can get a much-needed date night with your partner.
#8 – Manage Stress
Stress is inevitable, especially when you are managing a career and a family. You should have stress management techniques that work for you so you don’t become overwhelmed by the stressors in your life.
Going for a walk, taking a bath, participating in spiritual practices, or writing in a journal are helpful to reduce your stress as a new parent. It’s important to find out what works best for you to help keep your stress levels manageable.
#9 – Expect the Unexpected
When you are a new parent, even the best-laid plans or schedule can be thrown off at a moment’s notice. It may take longer to leave the house or a sudden diaper change may delay your timeline, so remember to be flexible.
No matter what happens, remember to be kind to yourself. Most parents are doing the best they can and unexpected changes pop up all the time.
#10 – Enjoy Your Family
Don’t forget to take some time and be present in the moment. It’s easy to get caught up in the craziness of the day-to-day routine and forget about the special moments that make parenthood exciting.
Babies and children grow up quickly so it’s important to embrace the happiness and joy for your family. Plan fun activities, enjoy holiday celebrations, spend time with loved ones, and take lots of photos.
Melissa Morris writes and researches for the insurance comparison site, Clearsurance.com. She is a university professor of health sciences and human performance, enjoys exercising in her free time, and loves being a stepmom.
