Vanguard Allure

Top Menu

  • Vanguard

Main Menu

  • Home
  • Allure Magazine
    • Features
    • Magazine
    • Profiles
  • Allure TV
  • Celebration
    • Fashion & Style
    • Weddings
    • Lifestyle
    • Events
  • Wellbeing
    • Allure Woman
    • Healthy Living
    • Beauty
  • Happiness
    • Food
    • Shopping
    • Travel
    • Relationships
    • Career
  • News
  • Vanguard

logo

Vanguard Allure

  • Home
  • Allure Magazine
    • Fireboy: The Artiste To Beat

      February 28, 2021
      0
    • Azeez Oladapo Yusuf

      Azeez Oladapo Yusuf - Life of a serial entrepreneur @50

      February 28, 2021
      0
    • Princess Kelechi Oghene: Building Fashion Legacy

      February 21, 2021
      0
    • Gedoni And Khafi Ekpata

      Gedoni And Khafi Ekpata: To Love And To Hold

      February 14, 2021
      0
    • 'I'm pushing only JESUSBrand' - Dupsy Oyeneyin, Gospel Singer

      January 31, 2021
      0
    • Juliet Okonkwo: From Passion To Goldmine

      January 31, 2021
      0
    • Making music is my ministry, obedience to call of God - Chineze ...

      January 31, 2021
      0
    • Samuel Animashaun Perry: Arrival of Broda Shaggi

      January 24, 2021
      0
    • Adetola Nola: Up Real Estate Ladder

      January 17, 2021
      0
    • Features
    • Magazine
    • Profiles
  • Allure TV
  • Celebration
    • Fashion & Style
    • Weddings
    • Lifestyle
    • Events
  • Wellbeing
    • Allure Woman
    • Healthy Living
    • Beauty
  • Happiness
    • Food
    • Shopping
    • Travel
    • Relationships
    • Career
  • News
    • Northern Food Traders plan to lift the embargo on food supplies to ...

      March 3, 2021
      0
    • My Wife Wasn’t My Classmate, We Met On Flight – Actor Spiff ...

      March 2, 2021
      0
    • Nigeria Begins registration for COVID-19 Vaccine

      March 2, 2021
      0
    • BBNaija’s Dorathy, Patience Ozokwor Star In Mr Macaroni’s Skit

      March 1, 2021
      0
    • Herbert And Hana Launches Luxury Brand, Features Classic Pieces That Transcends Time

      February 28, 2021
      0
    • How I lost My Mum At 5 - Nancy Isime

      February 24, 2021
      0
    • Ekiti gov pays condolence visit widow of Flt Sgt Olawunmi

      February 23, 2021
      0
    • ebuka

      ‘9 months after lockdown, now babies everywhere, time well spent’ – Ebuka ...

      February 22, 2021
      0
    • BankyW and Adesua welcome first child after 4 years of marriage

      February 22, 2021
      0
  • Northern Food Traders plan to lift the embargo on food supplies to Southern Nigeria

  • Idris Elba and Naomi Campbell sign Letter, Supporting Gay Rights in Ghana

  • Video: Davido performs ‘Assurance’ & ‘Jowo’ on Jimmy Kimmel Live!

  • Juliet Ibrahim is as pretty as ever in new birthday photos

  • Rico Swavey says Nengi is one of the most beautiful to come out of Africa

Uncategorized
Home›Uncategorized›BECOMING A PARENT: 10 Things That Might Surprise You

BECOMING A PARENT: 10 Things That Might Surprise You

May 30,2016
Share:

black parent

Hello my dear readers, as children’s day is last week I thought to touch on parenting. That time your loved one tells you those special words: “WE ARE EXPECTING”, “I AM PREGNANT”, “WE ARE GOING TO BE PARENTS”. It’s such a magical time and at the same time can be daunting! Raising a child is full of surprises. No matter how many books, parenting forums, and articles you read, nothing can completely prepare you for becoming a parent. If I could go back to before I had my first born and tell myself what I didn’t know I would experience, this is what I would say:

1. Making a Baby Isn’t as Easy as It Sounds
Some people are able to reproduce as easily as bunnies, but for others, that’s not always the case. The human body doesn’t really work that way. So if you’re thinking of having a child someday and want to plan the pregnancy for a certain time period, consider giving yourself some extra time and try not to stress out about the whole thing.

2. Children Rack Up a Lot of Surprise Costs
There is one thing you will need a lot of in the first few years: Diapers. A whole lot of diapers. You know that already, but you’re probably still underestimating how many diapers you’ll end up buying (or washing, if you go the cloth route). This makes subscribing to a newspaper for the diaper coupons worth it alone.
Other expenses will seem to come out of the blue over the course of your child’s life. Music lessons, for example, for thousands of naira a month, class trip costs, babysitting costs, and even medicine and medical fees can take you by surprise. Cost of daycare. (It’s like you need to take a second job to pay for the daycare that lets you work your first job.) So spend less on baby gear and keep in mind these unexpected (or unexpectedly high) costs that really add up.

3. You Will Lose and Surely Miss Sleep
Even past the infant and toddler stages, you might have sleep issues. Middle-of-the-night nightmares, your children sleeping between you and your significant other, difficulty getting them up in time for school, and so on. A word to the wise: Don’t start a sleep or nighttime habit (like letting your child into your bed in the middle of the night) you don’t want to continue until your child is in college.

4. You Don’t Need a Lot of Baby Stuff or Clothes
Strollers, car seats, playpens, swings, bouncy chairs, play mats, sleep hammocks, teething rings, bibs, burp cloths…babies seemingly need a ton of accoutrements. Let me save you a lot of money: You don’t need even half of those things.
Many new parents fear their babies will get bored or will need constant stimulation to develop super baby brains, but the truth is infants pretty much just sleep, wake up and cry to be fed, and then fall asleep after being fed. You don’t need multiple, endless ways to occupy them even when they’ve started toddling, because everything is entertaining to a young child. (It’s also why baby-proofing is important.) Also, kids tend to discard even new toys quicker than it took you to look for and buy them. I have a garage full of baby distractions and stuffed animals (the bane of my existence). To this day, I’m thinking: blocks or making toys out of toilet paper rolls would have saved me a lot.
Similarly, I wish I hadn’t bought so many baby clothes—at least new ones. For one thing, family and friends love to gift adorable outfits (who can resist buying tiny shoes, even if the baby can’t stand up?). For another, kids grow like weeds, so some outfits are rarely even worn before they don’t fit.

5. The First Few Months Are Pure Torture
I sometimes think babies’ cries are so grating, their sleep so erratic, and breastfeeding so painful just to harden up parents. If you can survive the first few months of Baby Boot Camp without losing your mind, you can survive anything—you’re like a superhero. Because, really, the first few months are hell if you enjoy sleeping, showering, and functioning well.
Others told me it was hard. But it’s impossible to truly convey just what it’s like to wake up at night every two hours for several months. Or try to calm a baby who’s screaming inconsolably. Or deal with your body now being three sizes bigger than it used to be. Or struggle with not feeling like yourself for not just months but maybe even years.
The other thing to know, though, is that as bad as it gets, you’ll get through it. (Just don’t be afraid to ask for help, especially if you suffer from post-partum depression.) There are blissful, amazing moments during that period too, and, after enough time passes, you might even think back wistfully on this period and even be crazy enough to go through that torture again.

To Be Continued…

By Teri Mendes

TagsParenting
Previous Article

Banky W Laments Being Single?

Next Article

5 Five Powerful Nutrients Every Child Needs

0
Shares
  • 0
  • +
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0

Related articles More from author

  • LifestyleRelationships

    Parenting : Magnifying the good in people

    January 31, 2020
    By Nancy Akahalu
  • Allure WomanLifestyle

    Parenting tips : Training the boy child

    January 22, 2020
    By Nancy Akahalu
  • LifestyleNews

    You’re a father because of your ability to raise children-VP, Yemi Osinbajo

    June 17, 2019
    By allure1
  • Allure MagazineEntertainmentNews

    Tennis champion, Serena Williams and daughter cover latest issue of Vogue

    January 11, 2018
    By allure1
  • News

    What a four-year old taught her mom about parenting is profound

    August 28, 2019
    By allure1
  • Allure WomanLifestyle

    Parenting: Raising the male child rightly

    June 1, 2020
    By Nancy Akahalu
0

  • Allure MagazineNews

    Actress, Lindsay Lohan converts to Islam, deletes all photos

  • Allure WomanEntertainment

    UK prime minister Boris Johnson and fiancee Carrie welcomes baby boy

  • Allure MagazineNews

    Fired! Buhari approves the immediate sack of Obazee, whose agency forced Adeboye’s retirement


  • 5324
    Followers
  • 12744
    Likes

Timeline

  • March 3, 2021

    Northern Food Traders plan to lift the embargo on food supplies to Southern Nigeria

  • March 3, 2021

    Idris Elba and Naomi Campbell sign Letter, Supporting Gay Rights in Ghana

  • March 3, 2021

    Video: Davido performs ‘Assurance’ & ‘Jowo’ on Jimmy Kimmel Live!

  • March 3, 2021

    Juliet Ibrahim is as pretty as ever in new birthday photos

  • March 3, 2021

    Rico Swavey says Nengi is one of the most beautiful to come out of Africa

Categories

Subscribe to our Newsletter

Sign up to receive email updates and to hear what's going on with our magazine!

  • Recent

  • Popular

  • Comments

  • Northern Food Traders plan to lift the embargo on food supplies to Southern Nigeria

    By Dami
    March 3, 2021
  • Idris Elba and Naomi Campbell sign Letter, Supporting Gay Rights in Ghana

    By Dami
    March 3, 2021
  • Video: Davido performs ‘Assurance’ & ‘Jowo’ on Jimmy Kimmel Live!

    By Dami
    March 3, 2021
  • Juliet Ibrahim is as pretty as ever in new birthday photos

    By Dami
    March 3, 2021
  • Chioma Jesus, Sammie Okposo, Midnight Crew set for #THUGGLA2018

    By RITA
    April 24, 2018
  • American rapper, Kendrick Lamar wins Pulitzer prize for 2017 ‘Damn’ album

    By RITA
    April 17, 2018
  • Afrobeat singer, Seun Kuti drops new album titled ‘Black Times’ 

    By RITA
    April 23, 2018
  • Actor, Yul Edochie declares intention to run for presidency

    By RITA
    April 23, 2018

Entertainment

  • March 3, 2021

    Idris Elba and Naomi Campbell sign Letter, Supporting Gay Rights in Ghana

  • March 3, 2021

    Juliet Ibrahim is as pretty as ever in new birthday photos

  • March 3, 2021

    BBNaija’s Khloe teases fans with racy snap

  • March 3, 2021

    Dolly Parton Sings Before Getting COVID-19 Vaccine

  • March 3, 2021

    Abimbola Craig announced as producer of “Glamour Girls” remake

Follow us