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Now You Are A Parent

Copywrite of Parenitng SA

"Oh! Korka unna, you got your little baby now?"

"Yeah, it’s all over now!"

"Only for now though, then comes all the bottles, nappies, crying, no more sleep; but it’s all going to be worth it."

"Yeah."

• Having a baby is a big job and looking after a baby is a big job too!
• Your life will change because you have that little person to think of as well.
• You will feel love, happiness and pride and you might also feel upset, or anxious and tired.
• It can be scary when you realise this little person needs you for everything, especially if you feel you don’t know a lot about babies.
• Parenting is forever and it isn’t easy at any time. Some people’s parenting ways may be different but we all want the same thing, for our kids to grow up to be healthy, happy, successful, honest, caring and responsible adults.
• There will be many things to handle and do in bringing up your precious child, right until they are grown up.
• You are not expected to be the perfect parent!
• Most parents learn things as they go, sometimes by what they were brought up to know, or what they have read somewhere, or seen other people do.

Things that might help

You are the most important person in your child’s life. You have to look after yourself.

• Nobody has all the answers but asking around can give you extra ideas. Talk to other mums and dads. Talk to your grandparents, aunties and uncles too.
• Get to know about things in your area like playgroups. Visit local child care centres. Get involved.
• Find out how kids grow and develop.
• It’s okay to get someone you trust to mind your baby for a little while if you are feeling tired, stressed or worried. Just make sure you have left everything your baby will need like his food, milk, nappies. Let the person babysitting know where you are and when you’ll be back.
• Every parent gets angry at some time and you might feel that you’re "losing it". You might feel that everything is on top of you - the kids are playing up and you just don’t know what to do and you get mad.
• Getting angry is a normal and healthy emotion it becomes a problem when we are not able to manage it.

The important thing is to admit you are angry and deal with it in a way that won’t hurt your family.

• When you think you’re getting to that point where you might do something that you’ll feel sorry about later, get rid of your tension. Everyone has different ways to do this.
• • Some people talk to themselves like "Stop! Calm down and take 10 deep breaths" or "I’ve got to stop what I’m doing and count to 20".
  • Others walk away or go for a run around the block. Some put on music and dance around the room.
  • Getting outside and ge