I have been blessed with a well behaved tiny human. He sleeps well, eats well and as of yet we haven't had any problems being new parents. I've had an easy ride throughout this whole introduction to being a parent thing.
During my pregnancy aside from the odd bout of sciatic nerve pain and super mild reflux every now & then, I didn't suffer from any other pregnancy side effects. Yup, I'm one of those few people who didn't have morning sickness and will tell you that being pregnant isn't that bad at all. I will even tell you that giving birth isn't so bad; it's not comfortable but I didn't find it as terrible as everybody harps on about and could think of a few things that hurt a lot more.
At the six week general pediatrician check up we (my husband & I) were asked how it's all going, we told the pediatrician how well our boy sleeps & that we have no problems or concerns. We were then advised by the pediatrician not to mention how well our son sleeps & how good he is when we go to the parenting groups. That “advice” has been annoying me for weeks now. Why can't we be proud of how well we are doing?
Wether it is your first or fifth newborn, if you are struggling or finding it a walk in the park, the community that surround & help parents should be nurturing. You shouldn't be made to feel bad for doing a good job, having an easy child, not having problems or adapting to the situation well. But it seems even parenting suffers from tall poppy syndrome.
Then there are the people (both parents & non-parents) who jump in with “oh, just you wait” or “enjoy it while it lasts”, when we mention how well behaved our son is or that we aren't yet sleep deprived. Sure there will probably come a day in the distant (or not so distant) future when he turns into a nightmare, but for now can you let us enjoy the good time we are having with parenting.
Sometimes it feels like if you're not suffering (breastfeeding problems, sleeping problems, behavioral problems etc) then you're not a real parent, because parenting is tough & a struggle. For me the progression into parenthood has been very natural, no bumps in the road, no set backs; as my husband has said, “I've taken it in my stride”.
I understand it isn't this easy for everybody, but do those who have a smooth ride have to sit on the sideline and listen about the struggle, but not comment? To feel that because we haven't suffered, we can't possibly understand or have helpful advice? And be the receives of snarky “well aren't you lucky” comments?
All I ask is while you ban together on the struggle island of support, remember there are a few of us who have been pushed out to on a lonelier island and we are parents too.
During my pregnancy aside from the odd bout of sciatic nerve pain and super mild reflux every now & then, I didn't suffer from any other pregnancy side effects. Yup, I'm one of those few people who didn't have morning sickness and will tell you that being pregnant isn't that bad at all. I will even tell you that giving birth isn't so bad; it's not comfortable but I didn't find it as terrible as everybody harps on about and could think of a few things that hurt a lot more.
At the six week general pediatrician check up we (my husband & I) were asked how it's all going, we told the pediatrician how well our boy sleeps & that we have no problems or concerns. We were then advised by the pediatrician not to mention how well our son sleeps & how good he is when we go to the parenting groups. That “advice” has been annoying me for weeks now. Why can't we be proud of how well we are doing?
Wether it is your first or fifth newborn, if you are struggling or finding it a walk in the park, the community that surround & help parents should be nurturing. You shouldn't be made to feel bad for doing a good job, having an easy child, not having problems or adapting to the situation well. But it seems even parenting suffers from tall poppy syndrome.
Then there are the people (both parents & non-parents) who jump in with “oh, just you wait” or “enjoy it while it lasts”, when we mention how well behaved our son is or that we aren't yet sleep deprived. Sure there will probably come a day in the distant (or not so distant) future when he turns into a nightmare, but for now can you let us enjoy the good time we are having with parenting.
Sometimes it feels like if you're not suffering (breastfeeding problems, sleeping problems, behavioral problems etc) then you're not a real parent, because parenting is tough & a struggle. For me the progression into parenthood has been very natural, no bumps in the road, no set backs; as my husband has said, “I've taken it in my stride”.
I understand it isn't this easy for everybody, but do those who have a smooth ride have to sit on the sideline and listen about the struggle, but not comment? To feel that because we haven't suffered, we can't possibly understand or have helpful advice? And be the receives of snarky “well aren't you lucky” comments?
All I ask is while you ban together on the struggle island of support, remember there are a few of us who have been pushed out to on a lonelier island and we are parents too.