Wisdom from a mom of six (and one on the way)

My wife may get mad at me for this, but I happened along some things she wrote about raising our kids. I thought it was absolutely wonderful. I pray she keeps writing!

Some things I’ve learned over the years having six kids.

Professionals don’t know everything
The advice they gave me 12 years ago they don’t give now. Why? Because it’s a different person/ or group with different opinions and priorities. So take their advice as good suggestions that may or may not work. You and your baby are unique and so are your needs. What works for your neighbor might be the worst suggestion for you.

Be willing to learn and grow with your baby
Each baby is born with their own personality and from day one you and your baby are getting to know and love each other. This takes time. Babies love Mom and Dad and want to feel close and warm in their arms. Let them indulge when you can. This time is precious and passes quickly.

My little one is five months old and already she wants to be playing and mobile, not snuggled as much as before. Being a parent is a learning time with many changes. Every time you think you have it down their needs change with their age and so you will need to learn to meet their new needs.

Babies are not robots
Your baby doesn’t know what the doctor said about how much to sleep and eat. They have their own appetite and need for sleep. One baby may love to sleep while another doesn’t need as much. So be flexible with them. Allow them to discover their world as you learn about them. When I’ve tried to get a baby to bend to my schedule and what I want, there has only been stress and frustration.

Babies change so don’t worry too much about how the times they are sleeping doesn’t work for when you wanted to clean house or answer emails. Their needs will change and the time that they want to play and sleep will be different. The older they get the easier it is to get some kind of schedule so that you can structure your day. When I am not happy with how my days are going I remind myself that this time will pass quickly and my sweet baby will grow and change.

You are teaching your baby good or bad habits
Every day you are training your little one. If you rock baby to sleep that is what they will grow a to expect, so if your day changes, and you need baby to lie down and sleep alone, it will take time to learn this new way of doing things.