Everything I’m Too Scared to Admit About Becoming a New Parent
If there’s one thing I know for sure, it’s that right now, I don’t really know anything
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Since sharing the news of my pregnancy to my friends, family, and just people in general, I’ve been utterly overwhelmed by the amount of (both solicited and unsolicited) advice that I’ve been getting in terms of what to buy, what to do, and how to prepare for becoming a new parent.
I will admit that a lot of the advice I’ve been getting has been extremely helpful and very much appreciated, but at the same time, it’s always a little tricky to decide when to take another person’s advice at face value because as well-intentioned as it may be, it doesn’t always work for everyone.
Yes, there are certain things that you should and should not do when it comes to caring for a newborn baby, but there are also some things that just can’t be taught. They can only be experienced firsthand.
And for me, those are the things that scare me the most — the internal and emotional changes that I’ll be going through; the changes in my personal life that no one can give advice on.
I’m scared of all of the lifestyle changes that I have yet to encounter. I’m scared of being back in that beginner phase of not knowing anything about anything. I’m scared of the person I’ve yet to become. These are all of the things that people can’t teach you in birthing classes or baby books because it’s so different, so unique and personal to every individual.
And if I’m being honest, I’m scared to admit some of these things to other people face to face. So, I’ve written them down instead. Here’s everything I’m too scared to admit about becoming a new parent.
I’m scared of all of the sacrifices I’ve yet to make
As selfish as it may seem, I’m scared that I’m not ready to not put myself first. I’m scared of sacrificing the things that I’m not ready to sacrifice yet, such as my relationship with my husband, my relationship with my friends, family, and people in general. I’m scared of losing my passion for the things that I love, such as running, writing, and traveling. And I know that priorities will…
