With a new baby on the way, I am planning a virtual baby shower for August complete with tons of baby gear reviews and a massive giveaway. I already have some great companies lined up, and I am working on getting more. (If you have a baby or new mom product and would like to participate, contact me.)
Leading up to the virtual shower, I thought it would be fun to recruit some of my fellow bloggers to share their best parenting advice. So every week from now till August, I will feature A Mom Blogger’s Advice. I hope you enjoy the advice as much as I do (I am printing all of the advice for my baby book).
I’d love to hear from you too. If you have parenting advice you would like to share (whether you are a blogger or not), email me. I’ll feature any advice I get so everyone can enjoy.
Advice from Kimberly at PrettyPinkMomma.com
This Mom’s Advice – *reader beware ’cause I’m no expert*
I find it a little hard to believe that I have been a mom for eight years now. As my 6 year old so eloquently pointed out the other day, “Mom we’re getting bigger and your getting OLDER!” Yes, son, thanks for pointing out the obvious!
It’s true, my three boys are getting bigger and I am getting older. That is for sure. So while I can’t stop the hourglass, nor would I want to, I can offer a few crumbs of knowledge that I have learned along the way. Mind you I have three crazy little boys just to give you a heads up where this is going…
- From day one, invest in Costco’s Kirkland Signature wipes. They are the best. For poop, for spills, for literally anything and everything. I am an addict and I’m pretty sure that I will still be using them when my children’s children have children.
- Get used to pee, poop, vomit and blood. All of these occur simultaneously throughout the day. And even when potty trained you still get your fair share. Your gut instinct will be to leave it for someone else to clean up but then you remember – you are that someone else.
- Helmets are a good thing. Seriously. Get some protective head gear for you, for them for the whole fam. These are great for when the kids run around the house and horseplay or for you when you are banging your head against the wall when they won’t listen when you tell them to stop.
- Get used to broken things. In my experience the day isn’t complete until one of my children has broken something of value beyond repair. The dollar store is your friend, avoid nice things.
- Keep carpet stain remover on hand at all times. This is a big one. You never know from one day to the next what disgusting thing might be ground in to your floor. I just spent days pulling embedded fruit snacks from different areas of the house that were littered in a Hansel and Gretel crumb like fashion.
- Enjoy sleep whenever you can get it. Between nightmares, bed wetting and hyper activity there will be nights that between all the kids you may not get a wink of shut eye. Or worse – they infiltrate your beautiful bed and kick you in the back while you sleep. Or my personal favorite, pee on you in your sleep.
- Say goodbye to peace and quiet. If enjoying a nice book or your favorite TV show without interruptions is high on your list of needs – get earplugs and a great pair of headphones.
- Be prepared to be embarrassed in public. Inevitably on multiple occasions your children will repeat something that you wish they hadn’t learned, scream in utter resistance to your pleads of a quiet voice or throw a full down an out temper tantrum in the middle of a crowd.
- Keep any and all art supplies – including pens and pencils – out of reach and completely hidden out of sight. At least until they have reached an independent trustworthy age. If you don’t you will likely find drawings or your child’s name scribbled on your walls and furniture. Don’t even get me started on the perils of scissors.
- Last but not least – keep Dad on speed dial. I can’t tell you how quickly so many arguments have been solved by these magic words, “I’m going to call your Dad…”. That’s right don’t be afraid to sink down to their level and tattle. It’s a language that they understand – use it to your advantage.
Well, I hoped you learned some valuable lessons about child rearing. And if not, that’s okay too – ’cause like I said I’m not an expert. Just a mom.
This mom loves new followers too so if you want to show me some love come visit me at Pretty Pink Momma.
Hasta la vista
Emily C says
Oh the art supplies. AND SCISSORS! ugh. I think the appropriate age for them is like 13??? My son has cut his friend’s hair which was mortifying! And he did it twice!!! That last time he was 6! A friend has a daughter that cut every stitch of her hair off. Right down to the scalp. Her mother cried for days. Treat art supplies and scissors like you would cleaning supplies. Unless you like you 5 year old writing his name on every item he owns including his walls, bed, sheets, toys, dresser etc…..