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Family

10 Things New Parents Can Say “No” To And Not Feel Guilty About

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10 Things New Parents Can Say “No” To And Not Feel Guilty About

Learning to say no is something new parents often struggle with but should be saying no to some things and not feel guilty about facing the hard truths.

October 17, 2019

Learning to say no is something new parents often struggle with. But how often have you wished you’d been honest with your feelings, instead of playing it nice and ending up overcommitted?

Granted, saying no doesn’t always make you feel good and won’t make you popular among friends and family but its always better to err on the side of caution. Your baby’s health and wellbeing (and yours too!) should be the priority here.

Here’s how to deal with the scenarios where you have to be the bad guy and say no:

READ MORE:
5 Things We Can Do To Make Every Child Feel Like They Belong
The One Thing All Mums Need To Keep Their Baby Cool In Singapore’s Hot Weather
15 Fun Things To Do With The Kids In Singapore This October

Text: Young Parents / Additional reporting: Natalya Molok

https://www.womensweekly.com.sg/gallery/family/new-parents-should-say-no/
10 Things New Parents Can Say "No" To And Not Feel Guilty About
“Can I come over in a few minutes to see your new baby?
image

Of course, you want your friends and family to meet your newborn, but avoid over-committing yourself. If a visit doesn’t suit you because, say, you are tired, or your baby is unsettled, or your house is a mess, then politely tell the prospective caller that you are too busy right now.

Photo: 123RF
“Don’t you feel wonderful all the time being a new parent?”
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Some new parents feel they are on cloud nine, totally consumed with the excitement of caring for their new baby. For most of us though, those early stages are challenging, tiring and disempowering. You don’t need to pretend that everything is delightful and under control.

Photo: 123RF
“While you are out shopping, could you get me a couple of things?”
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Isn’t it annoying when others assume that because you are shopping in the supermarket for your baby, you will be happy to do their “little” shopping as well? Adding those few extra items means more time shopping and more things to carry, both of which you can probably do without.

Photo: 123RF
“Will you look after my child as well because you are at home anyway?”
image

Resist that reluctant childminder trap. Chances are, your entire attention, energy and resources are consumed by your new baby. Looking after someone else’s child is never straightforward. Just because you are caring for one doesn’t mean you can care for two.

Photo: 123RF
“Aren’t you just dying to get back to work?”
image

People often assume that you can’t wait till your maternity leave finishes, and that you are desperate to get back to your previous employment. If that’s how you feel, fine. But if you are having a great time at home with your baby, don’t be afraid to say so.

Photo: 123RF
“Are you getting enough sleep?”
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You can never get enough sleep as a new parent. The 24/7 demands drain your physical energy, and even when you do sleep, you are likely to be woken up prematurely by your baby’s cries. Anyone who asks you that question doesn’t understand the stress of new parenting.

Photo: 123RF
“Have you thought about when you’ll have your next one?”
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You’ll probably simply laugh at that question because you are so absorbed with this baby that you have had no time to consider the next one. Anyway, even if you did think about a second child, it’s far too early to start making plans. You need time to adjust before thinking that far ahead.

Photo: 123RF
“Are you getting enough help?”
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Like it is with sleep, you can never get enough help when you are a new parent. A second pair of hands is always welcome, whether it is helping you directly with baby care, giving you a short rest break, or doing a household chore for you. Always be prepared to accept support if it is offered.

Photo: 123RF
“Do you feel confident as a new parent?”
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Increasing your parenting skills is a steep learning curve. You’ll need lots of time and experience before you feel confident in managing your baby – there is so much to learn. And just when you think you’ve got it right, your baby moves into the next phase of development.

Photo: 123RF
“Have you all adapted well to your new family life?”
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The new baby’s arrival changes the lives of everyone in your family. Some take more time to adapt than others. It’s not reasonable to expect that everyone in your family has made the adjustment so quickly.

READ MORE:
5 Ways To Keep Your Child Safe In Shopping Malls
How To Get Rid Of Your Child’s Cough When It Won’t Go Away
8 Ways To Boost Your Child’s Self-Esteem So They Can Be Their Best

Photo: 123RF
  • TAGS:
  • babies
  • boundaries
  • discipline
  • family
  • new parents
  • Parenting
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