for all of the parents out there....

Johnny Abruzzo

redrock wrote:

Johnny Abruzzo wrote:

They also make you feel good if you care about the planet. If you use all disposables, you throw 7,000 diapers into a landfill per baby. :shock:

There are a number of eco-friendly disposable diapers on the market, completely recyclable/bio-degradable - look for those and plant a tree or two! If you have a compost heap, you can also compost them (but not the poos!). With cloth diapers, by the time you have used the water, detergents and electricity to wash & dry, it's just as bad for the environment, though in a different way.

And as Johnny said... books, books, books!!!

For disposables we are using the natural cotton diapers, which I think are biodegradable. The main reason we use them, though, is that they are better for him, not having the perfumes & dyes.

We were throwing the diapers in the laundry with everything else so it wasn't any extra water, detergents or electricity.

vduboise

I think one of the most important things to remember- is to have patience with each other as parents. You will both be sleep deprived, cranky, worried if you are doing things right, worried that the baby isn't getting enough to eat, etc...And then they become toddlers- then its a whole other ball game.

What I didn't expect is the amount of time I didn't have for myself. Those first few months I was stressing that the house wasn't clean or the laundry wasn't done, and ... Then I calmed down and thought that it will get better. The first month is the hardest. I was frustrated, and tired, and... everything. You just have to realize that at this moment in time- you are their everything and nothing will get done. And its OK. Day by day it gets better and you will get a load of laundry done, or one room in the house gets cleaned, or the table gets cleared of stuff- little by little and life continues. It will be different with this new life in your life, but it gets better. Take the time to bond with them and things will get done.

Enjoy you moments as being parents together for the first time. Its a definite learning curve, but if you tackle things together it gets better and easier.

Jeanwah

This is my advice... see if you guys can get pregnant first.

Because some of us have trouble with that.

I second the breastfeeding advice. It's the best thing for the baby.

stargirl69

Lovely thread

I don't have kids so all I can say is good luck

Johnny Abruzzo

Jeanwah wrote:

This is my advice... see if you guys can get pregnant first.

Because some of us have trouble with that.

I second the breastfeeding advice. It's the best thing for the baby.

Yeah, don't put the horse before the cart.

Also, if you don't want 2 really close together, be careful after the first one is born.

Breastfeeding is very important, but if it's not enough for the baby then it's not the end of the world to supplement. Some crazy fanatics just about starve their babies to follow the pediatric advice. I mean, just as some have difficulty getting pregnant, some have difficult producing enough milk. All these books make you feel like a criminal for giving the baby any formula at all. :roll:

And I don't know what babies can get nothing but breast milk for the first 6 months - I think my boy was eating medium rare t-bones by 6 months.

dcfaithful

Matt,
You know me well enough to know I don't have kids and am somewhat of a kid myself still. Having said that, I don't have much advice for you other than that if I was in your shoes, I would really value some of the advice given here. I know I'm already storing it in the vault for when my time comes.

Best of luck to you and your wife... you and her seem like such grand people, I'm sure your child or children will be just as wonderful. Like everyone else has said though, just enjoy it. I can't recall how many times I've heard parents say "the early years go by so fast and I miss them." So, embrace every moment whether they be large or small.

Again, best of luck! :thumbup:

mfc2006

Jeanwah wrote:

This is my advice... see if you guys can get pregnant first.

Because some of us have trouble with that.

I second the breastfeeding advice. It's the best thing for the baby.

oh, i know. not trying to count our chickens before they hatch...
just wanted some advice, is all.

this thread has been great! thanks, everyone!

RKCNDY

I have no 'advice' to share-no kids.
but since I have many friends that have little ones...

*always bring an extra outfit/change of clothes wherever you go. (I was on the bus in Las Vegas when one little girl tossed her cookies right after she got on...her mom muttered "I should have listened to mom when she told me to take along another set of clothes")

*you can never have too many socks or burp cloths-when I have to shop for a baby shower I ask the moms in the baby aisle "what do you wish people gave you more of?"

*seek out childrens/baby second hand stores. They have lots of things that are practically brand new-kids grow so fast they don't get a chance to wear them out-don't be afraid to ask friends/family members if they know anybody that has baby clothes.

*always be on the safe side and buy bigger, they can always grow into clothes, they haven't perfected shrinking kids yet.

good luck! I wish you and Mrs mfc the best!

oh, and I saw an article that said "don't forget to show love and appreciation for your partner...kids grow up and move out someday, your partner is there for the long run"

mfc2006

RKCNDY wrote:

good luck! I wish you and Mrs mfc the best!

oh, and I saw an article that said "don't forget to show love and appreciation for your partner...kids grow up and move out someday, your partner is there for the long run"

thanks, Lisa! yup...she's stuck with me! i'm a lucky man...and i realize it every single day!

Better Dan

RKCNDY wrote:

oh, and I saw an article that said "don't forget to show love and appreciation for your partner...kids grow up and move out someday, your partner is there for the long run"

All great advice! Also, your kids really observe everything you do..even as infants so it's another great way to set a good example!

stargirl69

RKCNDY wrote:

oh, and I saw an article that said "don't forget to show love and appreciation for your partner...kids grow up and move out someday, your partner is there for the long run"

Excellent advice

I know so many people,who once they have kids,their lives revolve around them,kid grow up and create their own lives and mum and dad suddenly realise they hardly know each other as their kids have been in between them,mum and dad split.

From early on make time for just both of you,get a babysitter and go out.

I have a friend who has never been out with her partner since they had their kids 8 years ago,she refuses to leave them with anyone.

Johnny Abruzzo

RKCNDY wrote:

oh, and I saw an article that said "don't forget to show love and appreciation for your partner...kids grow up and move out someday, your partner is there for the long run"

Yea that really hits home. We are always dropping the boy off with his mom mom or aunt. Nice to have family around.

dougfloyd

Lots of great advice in here already, not sure I have much to add. Best of luck Matt!

Just appreciate some of the little things you take for granted now, like sleeping in on the weekends, going to the movies, or just some peace and quiet (I swear our 5 year old starts talking the moment she wakes up and doesn't stop until she falls asleep ). But you'll be amazed how early they start picking up on things that you and your wife do and taking after you. So it's never to early to get in a routine of good habits like reading to them everyday (this was huge and helped our daughter start reading on her own very early on) and feeding them healthy foods. But don't worry about trying to follow everything that people tell you to do, you'll be great and there's no other feeling like it in the world

ShimmyMommy

Trust your instincts, they are usually right.

You two will make excellent parents.

Sending lots of love, light and hope for you two on this step of your journey together!

pandora

Better Dan wrote:

RKCNDY wrote:

oh, and I saw an article that said "don't forget to show love and appreciation for your partner...kids grow up and move out someday, your partner is there for the long run"

All great advice! Also, your kids really observe everything you do..even as infants so it's another great way to set a good example!

I agree :thumbup:

I think, I hope, that JB and I,
our bond, the example of our lasting love based in giving and forgiving
is the best thing we did for our kids ...

Marriage is hard work but the longer it lasts the easier it gets.

Just never give up! Hang onto the young love as it grows old.

Giggy

Enjoy your kids. They grow up so fast. Think it this way, Who else in your life do you have unconditional love for before you even meet them. Always remember to make sure they are safe with you and they know you love them more then anything in this world. Share the things that make you happy with them. Take them to PJ shows with you. Oh...When they turn 14 you will lose them to the devil :twisted: . But if you raised them right they ill came back in a few years. My 5 Y/O granddaughter's favorite song is "Not for You". The mix I gave her has the F word taken out.

F5AgainstOne

Giggy wrote:

Enjoy your kids. They grow up so fast. Think it this way, Who else in your life do you have unconditional love for before you even meet them. Always remember to make sure they are safe with you and they know you love them more then anything in this world. Share the things that make you happy with them. Take them to PJ shows with you. Oh...When they turn 14 you will lose them to the devil :twisted: . But if you raised them right they ill came back in a few years. My 5 Y/O granddaughter's favorite song is "Not for You". The mix I gave her has the F word taken out.

:thumbup:

It's like a time warp.
My son was just born yesterday (or so it seems )and he's already 16 in the blink of an eye.
My daughter is 12.. WTF?

Loulou

Awwwwww Matt! That's so cute!! The best of luck to you both.
Best advice I can give you both is don't get too stressed out with the bombardment of advice that will be thrown at you from EVERYWHERE! Take the info that you want.
The only things I can suggest are:

1. Sleep while baby is sleeping! You'll need your rest especially in the first 3 months. And don't stress too much, they end up getting in a routine soon after that.
2. Don't compare your kids. Everyone I meet with kids are consumed with "What age did your child walk?" "what age did your child talk?" EVERY CHILD IS DIFFERENT. They all walk when they want to, talk when they want to.
3. Relax, you two will make fabulous parents!!