Encouraging words from YOU!

Does "Make the most of the fact that your child can not walk/talk/escape! Toddlers are HELL!" count?

Sorry, scrap that. Having a bad mother week.

I'll come back and write things when I'm in a nice mood

My grandma said before Ella was born, and I think of it every time I see her now: "When they are sleeping you can forgive them anything".

It is so true, they look so beautfiul and peaceful when they sleep

From me: "It's OK to cry, you're not alone ! Better out than in anyway."

Babies aren't as breakable as you think.

No matter how bad a parent you think you are, 99.9% of us turn out alright no matter what our parents did.

All the other new mums that look like they have it together are probably just as out of their depth as you might feel, they just haven't found the strength to admit it yet.

I second Kirsten's one,   Ask for help - it's not a sign of weakness its a sign you are strong enough to admit you aren't wonderwoman - which no-one expects you to be. That's what really takes guts.

No one's watching you waiting for you to fail, they're watching you admiring the great job you are doing, despite having had no on-the-job training before taking up the position.

Edited by mum2paris

Okay....

1) Remember you are recovering from a long pregnancy and physically draining birth - you shouldn't expect to do everything at once - take time out to recover, or at least be easier on yourself until you do (6 to 7 weeks for a starter)

2) Dirt on the windows is a safety feature (I got this one from my first ever plunket nurse - she basically said to forget about cleaning and spend the time getting to know my baby instead - having non-sparkling clean windows meant people were less likely to walk into them).

3) It takes a while to get to know new people - this is especially true of your little person - don't expect to know everything about them from the get go - it takes time and shared experiences to learn who they are and what they like and dislike.

4) Don't be afraid to put them in their cot/bassinet/somewhere safe and take a walk out to the letterbox when they are driving you over the edge. Noone expects to you cope with every situation - don't be afraid to walk away and take a breather when you feel near the edge. Also don't be afraid to phone a friend when you need help - they let you do it on Who Wants To Be A Millionaire - they let you do it with parenting too!

5) Sleep when they sleep - powernap like a cat - just focus on the basics for the first two weeks, hang out in your pj's, don't leave the house, tell visitors to do the dishes/washing/not come around until you want them there, vegetate and make the most of just being with your baby - how often in life is there an excuse to stay in your pj's and have two hour powernaps? (It'll make a huge difference four weeks down the track)

6) Breastfeeding is hard work and hurts until you both get the hang of it, usually after the skin on your nipples have been grazed and grown back stronger. If you can stick it out to 6 weeks, you're usually set for the duration. Ask your midwife/doctor/nurse/la leche/plunket for help early and often until you have it sorted

7) Everyone has an opinion or advice about the right way to parent your little person. Listen to it, but remember the only right advice/opinion is the path you choose to take. Remember, you're doing a great job and your little person adores you (even though they don't act like it).

Maree - mum of Sean (11), Andrew (18 months) and Connor (7 weeks)

You don't realise how much your parents love you until you become a parent yourself.

I remember hearing that not long after I had Charlotte and thinking "wow, my parents love me this much?", I think its pretty amazing when you think about it. And makes you feel closer to your parents.

With children it is always first 18 months to get them to stand up and talk and the next 18 years to get them to sit down and listen!

From the moment we knew of them we loved them, from the moment we loved them we knew them, from the moment they know us, they love us, from the moment they love us we know it!

Hope guides me. It is what gets me through the day and especially the night. The hope that after you're gone from my sight it will not be the last time I look upon you.

Life deals you what you can handle, that's why God made chocolate...

Even though it has no guarantees, this day is an incredible opportunity. So step confidently, enthusiastically forward with a smile on your face and go with it.

A mothers love is never ending.

Parenting is not for the feint hearted but for the brave and willing. God bless you for taking up the challenge.

Time to stop.
Forget the world.
Look into your childs eyes.
And see the "I love you".

Giggles from babies are the gold of Mums.

Goddamit woman GET SOME SLEEP!

I have plenty more stashed away in my noggin but I can't think of any more for now. I love catch phrases! I think it is a great idea to make a book out of them (I might steal it ehehe).

lolol.. i learnt that the hard way Linelle.. i had been going to write "babies are pretty bounceable" but changed my mind.

They do eventually sleep through the night and even if it takes ages your body gets used to waking a few times a night.

Hahaha Janine - that's what I had a problem with for a while, I would wake at 3/4am wondering why I couldn't hear any crying !!

And I second what Jennz said too about realizing how much your parents love you once you've had a baby - having Erin also gave me a totally new perspective on my mum and now I appreciate her a LOT more !!