Kiddipedia
Nine months may sound like a long period. It is not. The time between taking the test and going into labour will feel like the blink of an eye.
That time, however, will be exciting, exhausting, magical, overwhelming, and valuable to prepare for the next chapter of your life. Not just giving birth, but also parenting.
Forget about the Beach Body. You Need a Body for Parenting
You know how we use the phrase “baby steps” to explain something small and effortless? When you become a parent, you realise you have been misled.
The time between a newborn, a baby that sits, crawls, then suddenly walks and runs, flies by. You try to keep track of every development phase, constantly adjusting to your child’s rhythm.
It will be intense, but you will remember it with a lot of nostalgia and sentiment.
Once they sit up and start properly moving about, everything in your home is a potential hazard. You must be physically prepared to react quickly and prevent them from hurting themselves.
That’s also why you might notice mothers in public who seem to have “bounced back” almost instantly after childbirth. While diet and genetics play a role, much of it comes down to constant movement, lifting, walking, and being active with the child every single day.
Start working out as soon as you can. Prenatal yoga, healthcare-approved routines, or just simple walks can make these nine months and labour more manageable. But aside from that, it will prepare you to take care of your child and be an active participant in their growth.
Self-Care Is Baby-Care
For a long time, we lived under the misconception that the difference between a mother and a good mother is selflessness. Kids are the priority, and mothers must not “waste” time on themselves.
Part of these beliefs is accurate; as a parent, you are responsible for your child. But neglecting yourself can invariably do more harm than good.
Studies have shown that if a mother-to-be is under stress and struggles mentally, that puts the baby at risk of developing certain behavioural conditions in the future. It can also lead to premature birth and low birth weight.
If you want to be the mother of your dreams, you must first be good to and for yourself. That includes taking care of your mental health during pregnancy.
Sometimes, a home spa, a time with a book, or anything that falls under “me time” may be sufficient to achieve balance. There will be times you’ll need support from friends and family. Still, it is critical to listen to yourself, and if you feel even that isn’t enough, don’t hesitate to consult a professional. A psychologist can provide valuable advice and techniques for coping with current changes in your life, helping you preserve your true self while adjusting to your new role.
Learn to Teach By Example
Look at pregnancy as a period to focus on hobbies and activities that make you happy. You can also use it as a discovery phase, where you can incorporate new routines and healthy habits.
There’s a difference between having a baby and raising a child. Both come with challenges, but the latter is filled with greater unknowns. That’s probably one of the main reasons people decide against having kids.
Others say, don’t overthink it; it all comes naturally once you become a parent. Well, good for you if that’s your experience. Many of us needed time to realise what’s going on and how to do this right, with many trials and errors along the way.
The key may lie in showing, not in telling.
You can tell your kids to read a book, but if they haven’t seen you do it, why would they bother? Or if you tell them to spend more time outside and less in front of the screen, and you are doing the opposite, your words will have little to no effect.
Babies don’t understand these things, obviously. But even regular activities like daily walks, bedtime stories, and lullabies will help you build a connection with your child and set a healthy foundation from day one.
The best time to build healthy habits is when you find out you’re pregnant. Because what you start today shapes not only your own well-being, but your child’s future, and the life you’ll grow into together.
