Is this my future?
I’ve joked over the past seven months that once I’m on maternity leave with our baby, “I’ll have lots of free time to get some major projects at home done!” But I know the reality. Despite the sexy appeal of all those DIY projects on Pinterest, this will likely be my daily existence in the coming months…
To all you new moms/dads or experienced moms/dads: What advice do you have? What can or should I do while on maternity leave?
One obvious answer is probably sleep, sleep, sleep!
But what about the fact that I’d like to knit more, read more (maybe audio books will be the answer?). We also have some boxes from our Toronto move that haven’t been unpacked and some boxes from my parents’ place that need sorting/gutting. I’d love to have a big yard sale this year.
What advice do you have? Keep my expectations low? Should I plan to do very little in the first few months? I’m trying not to be too naive, so please be kind!
While writing this post, I remembered a video I saw almost two years ago on Scott Stratten’s YouTube channel.
if you don’t have an ereader, get one and load it with books! or make sure you have lots of content to watch. The ereader makes one handed reading a snap while nursing ( if you are going to do that) and the tv shows/ movies can make night time feedings fly by.
Thanks Claudia! I have an iPad so that I can watch Netflix and use the Kobo app, but I may steal Matt’s Kobo for easier one-hand reading. I think I’m going to end up watching a lot of old crappy shows and movies on Netflix during late-night nursing. ;)
Don’t wait for your baby to go to sleep to shower. If you do, there may be days when you just won’t get clean or you are too tired to bother. Instead, get a bouncy chair or swing and bring it into the bathroom with you. Your baby can swing or bounce away while you shower and you can keep tabs on them by peeking out at them (or use a clear shower curtain like we do). Theo likes the sound of the shower and loves it when I play peek a boo with him with the shower curtain. :)
Your iPad will come in handy, trust me! I catch up on emails, FB, etc. or read while nursing or rocking Theo. I just make sure to not spend the entire time doing so – babies like staring up at you, so make sure you’re staring back. Eye contact is important for development, too…
For the first few months, if the baby’s not sleeping or with Matt, she will be demanding your attention. Just relax, forget about other chores, stuff you want to do, etc. and cherish those moments. They really do go so quickly. It’s only in the past month or so that Theo’s started to play independently (for a few minutes at a time) and I’ve been able to do other things during that time.
Speaking of Theo, guess who just woke up!
Thanks for the tips! A coworker mentioned on Monday that the bouncy chairs are great for that. I love getting this great advice.
I have the first few seasons of Dawson’s Creek…. They got me through a bunch of late nights with my first
I’m thinking I’ll watch some series on Netflix that Matt would rather avoid. Bring on Roswell and original 90210! LOL
Hey Virginia!!
I’m only 5 weeks into this.. so not a lot of experience! But e-readers are excellent!! I got one for Christmas and I love it!! Much easier to use while feeding the babe!! I don’t sleep during the day (having a 10 month old puppy who is 70 pounds and very playful that likes to eat everything prevents that), however… I still let the dishes pile up and leave the laundry. I relax while the baby is sleeping. I put her in her bassinet and lay her outside the bathroom door (door left open) while I shower. And as long as I get her laundry (you’ll be surprised how much laundry babies have) then I’m happy. Being a mommy is wonderful!!! Just enjoy the snuggles and ignore everything else!! Oh.. I spend a lot of time on Pinterest.. But I don’t actually do any of the things I find. All in good time :)
Hi Virginia,
I’m not a mom yet so I hope you don’t mind me posting here. I just wanted to share something that I’ve heard/seen from far too many of my friends.
One thing I’ve heard a lot of my mommy friends say is that they wish baby was a little more comfortable with daddy (and vice versa). Even though you will be spending the most time with the little one, it’s important for Matt to also spend time with baby. For example, when she starts crying, it’s good that Matt also pick her up and try to soothe her. This will help them get comfortable with each other. Not only will it allow you to do some things for yourself (perhaps paints your nails), but it will also allow him time to develop a relationship with her, PLUS help him feel as if he’s important.
I’ve read that a lot of new dads feel somewhat rejected once baby is born because they don’t know how to soote them / feel as if they aren’t needed since mom is doing everything. By giving him an opportunity to do things, he’ll not only improve his relationship with the little one, but it will also help the two of you understand each other better.
<3
Nici, that’s fantastic advice! Thanks so much for commenting.
I managed to read a lot but only while breastfeeding! I thought I would have tons of time to do all kinds of projects and didn’t end up doing one. The time will go really fast and you will want to spend close to every second with your precious baby. I say enjoy the time with your child and if you can squeeze in one or two projects you did well!! Now my child didn’t nap or sleep so I may not be the norm, you may end up with lots of free time. I say prioritize, make a list of all the things you would like to do and if you find time select a few off it. The first year flies it really does so try to enjoy as best you can and write things down, document things. That’s one thing my sleep deprived self didn’t do and I really wish I had, get a journal and right things down. The iPad will be excellent for nighttime feedings, just turn the brightness down a little! Oh and don’t plan anything for the first few months, just recover and rest!!
Thanks Jenny! Definitely some solid advice. I managed to do some personal videos while in Taiwan that will probably never see the public eye (I look really rough around the edges because of the sleep exhaustion I had). Maybe that and writing things down will help me to document things. We also have some family that are away, so it could be something they’ll enjoy as well.