Raddest* practical parenting advice we’ve received
We were pregnant with our first and spending time with friends and their 1-year-old. Animatedly, the father told us one piece of advice that has helped us over and over: not to ever, ever EVER watch when the other is changing the bébé’s diaper.
They aren’t going to do it the right way.
We all have our own way of doing things, which can drive us mad and trigger the impulse to ‘fix’ and control things, especially after birthing and then learning to take care of a little one – which already highlights how out of control we are of how things go down (labor, feeding, sleeeeeeep) like never before.
The way I think of it in order to complain less and snap myself out of control-ville: ENJOY THE HELP!
Your daughter looks like Punky Brewster after your husband dresses her with mismatched colors and half of the clothes turned inside out? Forget about it and ENJOY THE HELP!
Your parents let the grandchildren grab a few too many sugary ginger snaps at their house or they can’t help during exactly the hours you need? Don’t whine about it and ENJOY THE HELP!
The sitter let the kids stay awake later than you like? Hope you had a rockin’ night out; ENJOY THE HELP!
Auntie let the children watch an extra episode of L’Ane Trotro?! That must have been fun for them, ENJOY THE HELP!
Does Preschool have a different way of handling arguments between kids? Don’t go on and on about it, ENJOY THE HELP!
It’s not like we can’t intervene or say how we would like things to be done, but seriously most of us need to relax, breathe, enjoy, and be grateful for the help that we have; we don’t want to do this all by ourselves! What would be the fun in that, and this village of people, they are enriching your children, helping them get along with different personalities so ultimately our bébés of all ages will learn better navigate the times when we are not with them. Also, we’re not talking about strangers here, you chose the school, your partner, and your caretakers so trust your choices. Seriously, seriously, chill out, grab a nut milk latte or a glass of wine, pull out your paint brushes, take out your tango shoes, get your stuff done and ENJOY THE HELP!