GIVING BIRTH, ADVICE ABOUT HAVING A BABY, PARENTING SKILLS

Giving birth, advice about having a baby, parenting skills needed to ensure that bringing up baby is a pleasure and not a task

So, 'it will hurt'. We were referring to the extraction; think tooth pulling and extreme period pain, add that 'passing a football' constipation feeling and there you have it. Wish we had a penny for everyone who said "it can't be that bad", then called us after and said "you were right, it was a football"! See we are older and wiser after all.

Start of article on parenting advice.

You will be tired; your body has been through the equivalent of a major operation - which in itself would lead to R and R. Except that the little person in the crib beside you needs looking after too - 24/7. Best advice - sleep when they sleep. Switch on the ansaphone and bring in a cleaner.

ADVICE ABOUT HAVING A BABY

And there it starts; you are into a routine of feed and sleep. For a short while.

Patience, knowledge and understanding - all terms we do not relate to in this modern world, yet years ago they were used to describe the qualities for motherhood. The art of bringing up babies is for some a natural feeling, for others it is a battle, even a struggle to bond. Nurturing in the home from babies to childhood whilst juggling career, hobbies and travel will inevitably mean something has to give. Sometimes you will not want to admit this to yourself.

Ah travel. How lucky we have been to travel the world, skydive in New Zealand, train travel across Europe. How you long for the new thrill, freedom and relaxing break. The baby won't change my life you thought. Are you re-thinking the plans now?

Our experience - babies do not enjoy: 1. Shopping - as you probably have found out by now. They need feeding, nappy changing, comfort, not warm shops and wine bars and 2. Going overseas. It is hot, they won't sleep well. That is if you make the flight. Good grief, we cannot explain what it is like to be cramped in the seat holding the baby - don't pack a book, you will not be reading it.

As for the airline meal, how do you think you will pull the tray down let alone eat anything in such a tight space. You can rest assured your husband will be settled nicely with the gin and tonic and latest novel though. This will be some indication of the fortnight holiday ahead.

A holiday from what? A holiday before your child is 3 years old is not a holiday. You'll pack so much for them you'll be lucky to fit in a spare couple of t-shirts. The first thing you'll be doing when you disembark is head for the foreign toilets (not pleasant) for a bum change, then drive the rental car to the supermarket - you won't be able to get the food they need, so hopefully you will have packed your own - ah ha, that's another t-shirts worth of space taken up.

Babies don't like the heat. Take fake tan because you'll not have a chance to lay in the sun, don't be envious of your husband - much - he's halfway through his novel by now and that six-pack is going a golden brown.

Mental note - next time stay at home. Possibly you can't afford it anyway. Stay in for 2 weeks. When the baby naps soundly in the cot - take your husband to bed for a more exciting and passionate nap! Dig out the flyers from the local take-away. Stay in, order a delivery, don't switch on the oven and do slob like students. Daily if necessary.

Parental advice

Giving birth, advice about having a baby, parenting skills needed to ensure that bringing up baby is a pleasure and not a task