Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community - View Single Post - Baby on the way... tips for a first time parent?

Jagger · 02-09-2010, 02:07 AM

Congratulations!!!!

Being a parent is both the most fantastic and most terrifying thing that you will ever do.

It's a full time job this parenting lark:

Here's a summary of my night (for real. Nothing made up here):

-dropped the three school age kids off at school
-picked up the kids after school
-Took daughter #1 to get her broken glasses fixed with all 4 kids.
-Picked up yet more milk (two more 4ltr jugs. They'll last until tomorrow night.)
-Battled my eldest son over his math homework (many tears were involved. Some even from my son.)
-Put daughter #1 to bed early since she refused to eat her supper. Another battle.
-Changed three poops from daughter #2 (2 year old)
-Son #2 tried to manipulate gaming time (a no no on school nights) and when I refused he called me "the worst dad in the world"
-multiple refusals to go to sleep from various of the kids
-daughter #1 woke up as she went to bed so early and now cannot go to sleep (1 am now!)

That's my night so far and you know what, I wouldn't change any of it.
All of my kids also gave me hugs, told me they loved me, son #1 drew my wife and I a really nice card, the toddler gave me numerous patented toothy smiles, even cranky (today) daughter #1 had her good moments. She came out of the girls room wearing a giraffe costume. I didn't even know we had one! That's the thing with kids, they will always be surprising you, both good and bad.

Bottom line. We have four kids. I'd have more. They are fantastic little people.

Oh, as for stuff. We have owned tons of strollers. Get a Bob. They are easily the best.

And soothers. Waste of flippin' money. Non of our kids would take one.

We are still on our first crib. (Cheap model. $150 or so. 4 kids later. Hanging in there....just.)

Best wishes to you both. You will have a lot of great moments with your little one. Take Troutman's advice, get a camcorder and a camera. Use them lots. There is always something new going on.

edit: Oh yeah, and sleep is overrated. I've been getting five or less hours every night for about seven years now. (The age of son #2) We had a gap between our first two so got some normal sleep for a while. Not now. Our kids have to be the worst sleepers in the world. They are all night people just like us. If you like sleep. Sleep now. Otherwise become a night AND morning person. It's easier that way.

Update: 1:20am Daughter #1 just woke up our 2 year old. Yeah! A parent's job is never over. Still want the job?

02-09-2010, 02:07 AM	#49
Jagger First Line Centre Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Red Deer now; Liverpool, England before Exp:	Congratulations!!!! Being a parent is both the most fantastic and most terrifying thing that you will ever do. It's a full time job this parenting lark: Here's a summary of my night (for real. Nothing made up here): -dropped the three school age kids off at school -picked up the kids after school -Took daughter #1 to get her broken glasses fixed with all 4 kids. -Picked up yet more milk (two more 4ltr jugs. They'll last until tomorrow night.) -Battled my eldest son over his math homework (many tears were involved. Some even from my son.) -Put daughter #1 to bed early since she refused to eat her supper. Another battle. -Changed three poops from daughter #2 (2 year old) -Son #2 tried to manipulate gaming time (a no no on school nights) and when I refused he called me "the worst dad in the world" -multiple refusals to go to sleep from various of the kids -daughter #1 woke up as she went to bed so early and now cannot go to sleep (1 am now!) That's my night so far and you know what, I wouldn't change any of it. All of my kids also gave me hugs, told me they loved me, son #1 drew my wife and I a really nice card, the toddler gave me numerous patented toothy smiles, even cranky (today) daughter #1 had her good moments. She came out of the girls room wearing a giraffe costume. I didn't even know we had one! That's the thing with kids, they will always be surprising you, both good and bad. Bottom line. We have four kids. I'd have more. They are fantastic little people. Oh, as for stuff. We have owned tons of strollers. Get a Bob. They are easily the best. And soothers. Waste of flippin' money. Non of our kids would take one. We are still on our first crib. (Cheap model. $150 or so. 4 kids later. Hanging in there....just.) Best wishes to you both. You will have a lot of great moments with your little one. Take Troutman's advice, get a camcorder and a camera. Use them lots. There is always something new going on. edit: Oh yeah, and sleep is overrated. I've been getting five or less hours every night for about seven years now. (The age of son #2) We had a gap between our first two so got some normal sleep for a while. Not now. Our kids have to be the worst sleepers in the world. They are all night people just like us. If you like sleep. Sleep now. Otherwise become a night AND morning person. It's easier that way. Update: 1:20am Daughter #1 just woke up our 2 year old. Yeah! A parent's job is never over. Still want the job? __________________ "It's red all over!!!!" Last edited by Jagger; 02-09-2010 at 02:21 AM.