When you picture a family, there’s an image that most people have in their mind of a mother with children. In today’s day and age, that is far from the truth. More and more women are choosing not to have children or postpone having them until later on in life.
So what does this mean for people who would like to be parents?
Well, given the statistics (and these numbers are only growing), it means that more than likely, one (or both) partner will need to step up and become primary caregivers. This may mean taking time off work if your employer offers paternity/maternity leave or even quitting your job if they don’t; either way, making this decision requires careful consideration.
Some people may decide to put off having children until they feel ready for a number of reasons. Some decide that now is not the right time for them because they are too young and want to focus on themselves. Others may have careers that require immense attention and dedication, so they don’t yet want to take on another responsibility.
However, there is a growing community of men who step up to help their partners raise children together as equal parents – often called ‘co-parents.’
In this article, we’ll go through the different stages you will need to consider when raising a child from birth to adulthood.
Babies
For many people, having a baby is an exciting time. Getting all the right things for your newborn can be pretty overwhelming with so many options available.
Choosing what clothes, bottles, and even which cot or pram to buy can leave some parents baffled while others don’t care and want to get everything they need ASAP – but hold on!
Picking clothes is one of the most fun parts for many parents because it’s where they can get creative and inject some personality into their little ones. If this is your first, you may want to sit down with your partner to discuss how you both envision the style of your baby.
Every parent has different views on what they think looks best – there is no set rule. Some like matching outfits, while others like putting together interesting pieces even if they don’t match exactly. If you feel unsure, start by getting a few essentials in neutral colours (like white) which will last the longest and allow you to experiment.
Toddlers
Once your child is a toddler, it’s vital for their health and growth that they stay active and get outside often.
There are loads of great parks in most places where you can take them out with you on a nice day, but if the weather isn’t ideal, then consider getting a small kiddy pool or ball pit that will provide just as much fun! If it’s not raining or too sunny, make sure to avoid any heavy clothing and instead opt for light clothes like cotton T-shirts and shorts.
Pre-school
This stage can be challenging because your little one will be asking more questions than ever about everything in the world! The good news is, if they are asking more questions, then it means they are learning more, therefore building up their knowledge.
If you have any questions yourself that you can’t find an answer to, try googling them! It’s amazing what type of information there is for practically everything on the internet these days. And if all else fails, don’t be afraid to ask family or friends who may have advice for you.
Primary School
The first day of school is a nerve-wracking time for most children and parents alike. Sending your little one off into the big scary world can be so heart-breaking but also exciting at the same time.
It’s essential during this stage that you take proper care of yourself too because being a parent is hard, and if you’re not getting enough sleep or eating right, it will affect your moods which means more tantrums at home.
When it comes to food, try to get into the habit of having fruit for breakfast instead of cereal! It gives them loads more energy for the day ahead – just don’t let them eat too many bananas because they can be quite constipating. Nowadays, there are so many new types of yoghurts on the market that have all sorts of exciting flavours, from chocolate fudge brownie to raspberry cheesecake that you can use as a tasty alternative to just regular boring old strawberry yoghurt.
Relationships
Many people find relationships difficult when becoming a parent, but this doesn’t mean they have to be.
Before having a baby, you need to have a conversation with the other parent about what both of your expectations are for raising the child because it’s hard if one person thinks they should be doing things a certain way and another thinks they should be done in a completely different way. Suppose you can’t seem to reach an agreement; try compromising by taking turns at who gets the final say or award them other areas like bedtime or bath time.
Communication is critical during all stages of parenting, but especially to make sure that each parent knows what needs to be done throughout the day. The easiest way for this is usually through texting, as it doesn’t interrupt anything going on. Chat Integration is not only an efficient solution for corporates, but also a brilliant option for families to stay connected in the modern world. Just set out a few simple guidelines before you start, such as – do not disturb unless it’s a serious emergency.
Babies
When your baby arrives, one of the most important things you can do is have a chat with them about boundaries from the start – this means setting out guidelines such as no hitting, biting or kicking as soon as possible.
As mentioned above, if they are asking lots of questions, then that means their knowledge is building up very quickly, so it’s important to try to keep up with what they find entertaining or worrying by asking questions back and making sure to answer them honestly.
Toddlers
You are now entering the terrible twos. This stage is usually where tantrums start to kick in, so make sure you lay out some ground rules about what they should do if they are feeling frustrated or angry before it happens. Most toddlers have a bit of difficulty being separated from their parents for too long so try to find an activity that will keep them occupied but still close by.
Pre-schoolers
This is probably the most amazing time with little ones as they will be full of energy and imagination. Make sure you encourage creativity at all times during playtime, even if you have children who might not be interested in painting or drawing – having lots of different materials for them to explore will let their minds wander.
Primary school
Make sure they are eating healthy snacks throughout the day at this age as it is very important they have the energy to run around and play with friends. If your child has a packed lunch, make sure it’s not too heavy on carbs because this type of food can be extremely fattening. It’s also important that if your children are coming home from school hungry, then try to prepare something light but nourishing – an omelette or some homemade soup would be perfect.
High School
This is probably when things start to get a little bit trickier because teenagers have so many responsibilities now between studying, part-time jobs and socializing, so it’s essential to try to find a good balance between all of these things.
You might feel like your child is spending more time with friends than they are with you now, but it’s important not to worry because this means they are building up their independence which will only make them better prepared for the future. Nevertheless, don’t forget that it’s still essential that you remain as involved in their lives as much as possible.
College
It can be daunting thinking about sending your child off to college for the first time, but if you have spent enough time preparing them beforehand, then it should go very smoothly. Prepare yourself by doing some research into what college is going to offer them, so you know exactly what classes they’ll be taking and who their favourite professors are. Please make sure you speak with your child regularly to make sure they are enjoying their classes and coming home on time.
The Twenties
Woo-hoo! You’ve graduated from high school, and now you’re an adult! Time to get ready for the real world. This stage in life is probably going to require the most patience because young adults will need guidance through every new phase of life. Just remember that whatever struggles you go through together, there will always be support for one another which will keep your bond strong, so don’t forget to sneak in some fun and laughter along the way!
Take the Video Call
In closing, communication is critical during all stages of parenting, but especially to make sure that each parent knows what needs to be done. No matter how old your children are or where they find themselves on their life journey, try to always take the Video Call to spend some quality time together!
*This is a collaborative post