Preparing for Parenthood: 10 Things No One Tells You

People tell you that having a child is like re-living your childhood.

But what they don’t tell you is that you re-live it, but from your parents’ perspective.  

When you’re expecting a baby, you usually hear a lot about sleepless nights, diaper changes, and all the items you must buy for the baby. 

However, there is so much more that people don’t tell you about preparing for Parenthood.

10 Reassuring things to Know when Preparing for Parenthood

It’s a beautiful, overwhelming, and life-changing journey, and being aware of the points that are not as frequently discussed can help you tremendously, so let’s dive into them:

1. Nothing Really Prepares You for Parenthood

You can take all the parenting classes and read as many books as you want, but the practical side of parenting is harder than what you read in books. 

No, we aren’t discouraging you from  taking parenting classes. Those are necessary. But, in reality, you’ll need to learn to adapt as each child is unique and comes with their own unique challenges. 

No amount of reading and classes will fully prepare you for parenting. Parents are also born with a newborn, and it’ll take lots of failing, learning, and adapting to prepare you for fatherhood or motherhood. 

2. Coming Home Might Feel Strange

Bringing your baby home can feel a bit like an out-of-body experience. 

Even though you’ve spent months preparing for parenthood, the reality of being fully responsible for a tiny human doesn’t hit until you’re alone at home. 

Here, it is important to know that it is completely normal to feel overjoyed, anxious, and unsure, all at the same time.

3. Self-Care Should Not Be Excluded

Taking time for yourself might seem impossible, but it’s essential for your mental and physical health. 

This is a habit you should nurture from the very beginning, regardless of the conditions experienced during pregnancy, your schedule, or any other factor. 

Whether it’s a hot shower, a quick walk, or five minutes of deep breathing, self-care moments help you recharge and be the best version of yourself for your baby.

4. It Will Affect Your Relationship

Even the strongest relationships face new challenges once the baby arrives. 

You and your partner will be adjusting to new roles with less sleep and less time for each other. You’ll be mostly busy preparing for parenthood while having very less time for romance. 

Make sure you focus on patience and communication so you can navigate this new life chapter together with more ease. 

5. Prepare for Mixed Emotions & Guilt 

This is completely subjective. But when my son was born, I went from the cool uncle in the neighorhood to becoming a stay-home-dad. 

As contradictory as it may sound, giving birth and taking care of a newborn will sometimes make you feel lonely. 

You’ll miss your me time, and you might have to watch others having all the fun as you stay indoors babysitting. 

Sometimes it can cause negative emotions, regret, mixed feelings or the feeling of being left behind. Then you may  go on to experience guilt for those regrets. Afterall, conceiving the child was a planned and sound decision.

However, it’s completely fine to feel how you’re feeling. And it helps to talk to others about this. Reach out to your parents, or support groups if you have to.  

6. Each Baby Is Different 

No matter how much advice and tips you read, you must be aware of the fact that each baby is unique, and there is no book that can prepare you for the child that you’re getting. Your baby will have their own habits, needs, and temperament, and you will have to discover them all on your own. 

7. You Will Doubt Yourself

“I forget things; I forgot to buy diapers and rash creams for the baby on my way home. 

Does that mean I’m not cut out to be a good father?” 

Parenting is a road full of learning, and there will be moments when you wonder if you’re doing anything right. 

You should know that every new parent feels this way sometimes. Trust your instincts, and don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it.

8. Even Your Home Will Change

Life at home, as you know, will be very different when the baby comes. 

The living room might get filled with baby’s toys, and you might end up stashing more baby wipes and diapers instead of stashing beers in the refrigerator. 

There will be changes to your daily routine, the items in the house, and your sleep schedule. 

Your home will still be a safe space, but there will be changes you will actually get used to pretty fast.

9. You Will Discover a New Type of Love

The bond you form with your baby is powerful and often beyond words. It’s overwhelming in the best way, but it can also be scary to explore such deep feelings.

It is important to allow yourself to feel all the emotions and embrace them as you are forming one of the most significant relationships of your life. 

10. Stop Giving Other Parents so Many Credits 

Parenting is a mentally sound and well-thought-out decision only two secure-minded people can take.

Yes, there are some baseline responsibilities that you must be able to take care of. 

But, even after that, if you feel like you haven’t figured it out, welcome to the club. No parent in the world has it all figured out. 

It’s true that some parents get most of the things right, but it doesn’t put them above you. 

Stop giving other parents more credits than they deserve; especially, always avoid social overly idealized pictures of parents who are doing it right.

There’s no need of getting anxiety from hyperbolic representation of parenting on social media. 

You have nothing to prove to the world. As long as you’re giving your child all the love they deserve and the care they need, you’re the best parent. 

Some Days Will Be Hard

Simply put, there will be hard days even when memorized each step of the journey while preparing for parenthood.

Due to the lack of sleep and all the other restrictions that come with Parenthood, you might feel frustrated, exhausted, or even resentful.

These feelings don’t mean you’re a bad parent — they mean you’re human. Give yourself permission to feel everything without guilt.

Parenthood is much more than what you will find in books and magazines. Before childbirth, you need to prepare both your heart and mind for the upcoming changes, and being aware of the facts that people do not really talk about will be of great help.