The baby’s arrived! Now what? No matter how many books you read, classes you take, or words of advice you get, can anyone ever be fully prepared for parenthood? Every family is different, shoot, every child is different. It’s inevitable to encounter a few surprises along the way as your family grows.
With that in mind we asked you, our Black Love community, “What’s the most surprising thing about being a parent?” This is what you had to say. We thank all who contributed your experience.
Constant worrying about the well-being of your child.
@tabi_takeover
I was not prepared for the 2-year sleep regression. My baby was a 12-hour sleeper until then.
@codieco
That when you have multiple kids [at] various ages, you won’t ever be as hands-on as you were with the first… everybody has needs, and you’re only one person…also, asking for help is OK!
@tisdalexxiii
That what you imagined your kids to be may not be who they want to be, and that’s ok.
@hey_jay_bee
The amount of love and pride you can feel for a life that you helped create. Their every accomplishment in life is an ego booster…from learning to walk, to getting a full ride scholarship to college. Even when you feel like you might not be doing it right, you realize that you did something right.
@mz_jheri
My daughter is 2 1/2 months [old] and I adore her. But no one prepares you for having preemie baby. Definitely different challenges at each stage. Oh, and the whole sleep when the baby sleeps? That’s a myth.
@suga_shay01
How to build self-esteem in our children at a VERY young age so they are ready to face the world, more specifically school, where they see and may encounter bullying; how to speak up for themselves; and how to be vocal about their needs. It starts in [the] toddler years.
@wanderwomanjess
Parenting will make you question everything you thought you knew,like I know my child is wearing mismatched shoes with an orange bow that doesn’t match her outfit…but she is adamant about wearing it. Should I just let her be “creative” and express herself, or make her change and challenge her independence? Or take a who-cares-we’re-already-late approach…Is it that serious?!! Yes. It. Is. Daily. Somehow u find a happy median.
@camij_low81
How each child can come out so differently wired…even with all other things being the same.
@headcase_runner
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