Do it now! Jo Frost's tips for being a better parent
- Take time out, sit down together and talk. Ask yourselves “What are we going to do if…”. Discuss as many scenarios as you can think of, from your little one playing up, to behaving beautifully. How will you set boundaries? How strict are you going to be? Thrash it out now and it will make all future decisions a whole lot easier.
- There's a log you can fill in at the back of my book, Jo Frost's Confident Baby Care, or go out and buy yourself the brightest notepad or diary (bright, so you remember to fill it in). Stick it somewhere accessible and start filling it in right away.
- Next time you doubt yourself, stop and consider: “If I go with my instinct and it doesn't work out, what's the worst thing that can happen?”
- You've decided what kind of parent you want to be, well, now you need to work out how to achieve it. Will someone else need to give in so you can get your way? If you've said, for example, that you want to be the kind of mum who's really relaxed with loads of energy and time to spend with your baby, then you need to work out how you're going to accomplish that. If you want energy, you'll need to sleep. How are you going to get enough? By arranging for your partner, best friend or family to look after your baby for a couple of hours at the weekend, perhaps? But remember, if they help you with this then they might not be able to help you with something else, so it's possible you'll have to rearrange other plans.
- Stop worrying about the unimportant stuff. Right now! If necessary, tape a list of your top priorities to the fridge and take a look at them if you ever feel yourself weakening.
- Spend a little time over the next few weeks watching your baby, seeing how she's growing and changing in front of your eyes – and enjoy it. But don't compare yourself with other parents. If they seem to be getting along splendidly, it'll make you feel rotten. Have confidence in your own abilities.
- People are always finding excuses to avoid healthy eating and exercise. I say, instead of excuses find the energy. Even if it's just plugging in your iPod and going for a walk round the block with the pram! Or you can join a class where you exercise with your buggy.
- I'm challenging every Practical Parenting reader to keep a note of how often they rest in a week. And then the following week, to improve on it.
- Whether it's taking a bubble bath or eating chocolate – ask yourself what makes you feel good and then make sure you do it before you go to bed tonight.
- Concentrate on today. Have I expressed enough milk? Did I get enough sleep? That way, you'll avoid your problems getting too big to manage.
Now read about how to get your baby to sleep
