Preparing for the War of Parenthood
Preparing for the War of Parenthood
My sister is pregnant now for the first time, and she said to me that getting ready to raise a child is like getting ready for war. She was joking, of course, but there's definitely some truth to that kidding. There are innumerable things you need to have prepared and ready at a moments notice when you have a kid. Here are some things to think about to make sure you're a good soldier in your upcoming fight that is parenthood.
There are a bare minimum of things that you're going to need at any and all times when you have a kid in your life. If your child is very young, and not yet in school, then baby wipes are always a good idea- not only for cleaning diapers, but for any other spill or mess that will invariably come up.
You're going to want plenty of other items on you for similar little 'emergencies.' Some types of medicine or non-perscription drugs, things like aspirin and Tylenol, are a good idea to keep stocked in your bag. The same goes for band aids and Neosporin, things to help clean up little injuries immediately so that you're not scrambling if your child skins her knee.
You're going to always need food on you at all times. Now, I like to have food one me at all times for my own self, but it's not a catastrophe if I'm caught unawares and have to go some time without food and water. After all, I'm an adult and can handle discomfort and understand where and why it happens. A child or baby, on the other hand, needs to have their needs met when they arise. They just don't quite understand why they are feeling bad and why they might not reasonably be able to fix that feeling immediately. To be prepared for this, you're going to at least need some snacks and some water on you at all times. More substantial food like juice or full meals are also a good idea to carry with you, if you can do so without the food going bad.
It's also a good idea to always have something active for your child to do. If they like to be read to, have some books on you. If they enjoy coloring or art, then have coloring books or paper, pencils and crayons on you. Whatever they like to do to stay occupied, make sure it is available and accessible for them. Like eating and drinking, kids might not understand why they get bored and how to break the boredom without your help. You might be able to pass the time easily, but that doesn't mean your child will be able to. And in full honesty, much of the world is designed to entertain and engage adults, not children, so it's easier for you to pass the time than your child.
Overall, being prepared for a child is not very complex, but it can be logistically tricky. Basically, you just want to make sure that you are able to meet your child's predictable needs and wants in the moment, without much hesitation or scrambling.
There are a bare minimum of things that you're going to need at any and all times when you have a kid in your life. If your child is very young, and not yet in school, then baby wipes are always a good idea- not only for cleaning diapers, but for any other spill or mess that will invariably come up.
You're going to want plenty of other items on you for similar little 'emergencies.' Some types of medicine or non-perscription drugs, things like aspirin and Tylenol, are a good idea to keep stocked in your bag. The same goes for band aids and Neosporin, things to help clean up little injuries immediately so that you're not scrambling if your child skins her knee.
You're going to always need food on you at all times. Now, I like to have food one me at all times for my own self, but it's not a catastrophe if I'm caught unawares and have to go some time without food and water. After all, I'm an adult and can handle discomfort and understand where and why it happens. A child or baby, on the other hand, needs to have their needs met when they arise. They just don't quite understand why they are feeling bad and why they might not reasonably be able to fix that feeling immediately. To be prepared for this, you're going to at least need some snacks and some water on you at all times. More substantial food like juice or full meals are also a good idea to carry with you, if you can do so without the food going bad.
It's also a good idea to always have something active for your child to do. If they like to be read to, have some books on you. If they enjoy coloring or art, then have coloring books or paper, pencils and crayons on you. Whatever they like to do to stay occupied, make sure it is available and accessible for them. Like eating and drinking, kids might not understand why they get bored and how to break the boredom without your help. You might be able to pass the time easily, but that doesn't mean your child will be able to. And in full honesty, much of the world is designed to entertain and engage adults, not children, so it's easier for you to pass the time than your child.
Overall, being prepared for a child is not very complex, but it can be logistically tricky. Basically, you just want to make sure that you are able to meet your child's predictable needs and wants in the moment, without much hesitation or scrambling.
Posts
