Having a Baby Doesn’t Mean You Stop Living: 5 top tips for new parents

Now, there’s no way to pretend that a new baby won’t dominate your life. He or she absolutely will, and there’s little you can do about that! For the most part, it’ll be a great journey that you go on together. However, there’ll be that other side of you, the one that worries you’re losing control of your life. The important thing here is to remember that just because you have a child doesn’t mean you have to stop living. Far from it. Here are five tips to help you keep on top of your life with a newborn.

Defining What’s Important

You can’t do everything you used to do before you had a baby. Some things have to give. Others, however, should stay, if for no other reason than they’re important to who you are as a person. If your personality and character are strongly linked to an activity you enjoy, then you should do everything you can to keep that a part of your life. It’s about thinking about the important aspects of your life, and what can stay and what can go.

Time-Saving Tools

There are a million and one things you need to do when you’re a new parent, and if you do all of them, then there’s no way you’ll be able to have the time you need to do the other things in your life. That’s why you need to incorporate some time-saving tools into your life. Are you or your baby feeling unwell? Don’t automatically make an appointment with your GP; have an online GP at hand and get medical advice from the comfort of wherever you happen to be. Also look for opportunities to kill two birds with one stone (such as making long phone calls when you’re driving/doing other things) and ordering your groceries online.

A Well Earned Break

You’re taking care of your baby each and every day: it’s OK to have a break every now and again, you’ve earned it! Leave your baby with the grandparents for a few hours and do some of the things that are impossible to do with a newborn baby. Spending a couple of hours at a health retreat spa or something similar will do you the world of good!

Staying Yourself

You were a fully formed person before you had a baby, and you’ll have to be a fully formed person when they eventually fly the next in a couple of decades or so. It’ll be much more enjoyable for you – and everyone – if you stay yourself for the period in between, too! You don’t have to completely change your personality just because there’s a new child in your life. Stay true to yourself: it’ll make everything much easier!

Calling in the Troops

Finally, remember that every parent gets overwhelmed from time to time. That’s when your parent, friends, and family members come in. Bring them on board and share the load. Allow yourself to share the responsibilities, and things will never get too much for you.