52 Series: Tips for New Parents

By Lynn Gordon

Quick, essential tips to help couples transition into parenthood in an easy-to-read format—the perfect baby shower gift for expecting parents.
 
These fifty-two practical tips are just the thing to help new parents ease into parenthood, including suggestions for ways to reduce isolation, calm a screamer, and make sure you keep your social life.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Open Road Integrated Media
• Release date: Mar 25, 2011
• ISBN: 9781452104249

Book preview

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Space Management

For someone who weighs under twenty pounds, an infant takes up a tremendous amount of space, especially when you figure in the crib, changing table, dresser, playpen, swing, stroller, highchair, and acres of toys. Unless you are planning to move into a thirteen-room mansion anytime soon, you may need to get creative about your space management. Purge your closets of unwanted, space-wasting items. Build high shelves in bedrooms and closets to store items to which you don’t need regular access. Use decorative baskets and boxes for storage around the house. When your baby outgrows anything, pass it along to the next set of parents before it even has a chance to get cold.

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Take a Moment

Sure you’re tired; sure you’ve got other things on your mind. But it’s a good idea to take a moment each day for you and your partner to remember what brought you here in the first place. Try to have one conversation a day where no one uses the words baby, diapers, money, or housework. Skip the dishes once in a while, crawl into bed early, and remember what it’s like to hug and kiss each other. The creation of a child is a terrific bond between two people, and keeping your romantic connection alive will make family life even better.

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Car Survival

In an ideal world your baby would doze off the second you pull out of your driveway, and traffic would clear when they see you coming. In case this doesn’t happen, outfitting your car with a few essentials will help you get through a sudden traffic jam or an impromptu crying fit. It may be better to pull over and calm the baby than to drive when distracted.