For mums & dads - highlights of having a baby?

Question

My partner and I are currently trying to concieve, I was just wondering if you'd like to share some of the great moments/highlights/things that make it all worthwhile of being a parent!
I like the warm fuzzies, and it makes it expecting seem so rosy! :)

I am always informed of the negative things (screaming, getting no sleep, painful breastfeeding etc) so what are in your opinion the positives that outweigh these?

Thanks!!

Answer 1

Taking the baby home. Nothing compares to that moment.

Good luck to you.

Answer 2

I am expecting baby #6.

Being a mother is the most amazing job in the world.

Everyone will tell you how sweet and special babies are, but it only gets better. These are moments I have cherished the past few weeks.

Imagine your older kids are bickering, and then they voluntarily apologize to one another for saying hurtful things. It's such a huge sense of pride and accomplishment to know that I taught them those coping and communication skills they'll be using their entire life.

Driving past a store window and your ten year old points out a spelling error on a shop sign.

Walking into your 13 year old's bedroom to discover that overnight, she has plastered the walls with posters of a celebrity (first crush!)

My 4 year old falls and skins her knee. Instead of running to me, she runs to her older sister because sister has a "special thing" she does to help make owies go away.

Just the realization that you've created a house full of people- literally, created them, and here they are loving each other, caring for each other, and for their entire lives, they will always have each other. They know each other in a way you will never know any of them. They know you in a way you don't even know yourself, and yet they all love you. In their individual ways, they all love you and each other more than you can even imagine.
On a side note, some of those "negative things" you mentioned are actually not always issues. Several people have already mentioned the fact that breastfeeding doesn't have to hurt. Let me also say that I have never lost a night of sleep, My newborns cuddle into bed with me, it's called co-sleeping and http://www.mothering.com has several articles about why it's better for babies (and moms) Let's not forget I am cooking baby #6 right now. No sleepless nights. It's a big deal.

Also, the screaming issue. If you understand and respond to your baby's cues, you won't experience much screaming. When baby has a need, he'll give a teeny fuss. Respond. Otherwise, the crying escalates and could end up as screaming. Responding to baby's cues teaches them that the world is a kind place, that they are being listened to and that they don't need to scream to get the attention they need. SUre, sometimes they'll scream anyway, how can you ever know if their tag is bothering them or if they have a headache? But more often than not the baby that's a screamer is the baby that's ignored, and taught that the longer you scream the more likely it is that someone will help you.

OK- anyway, congratulations on TTC. Check out http://www.mothering.com anyway, they have so many wonderful articles on being a mom, loving pregnancy and taking care of yourself.

Answer 3

So many positive things i don't know where to start: At first you take home this beautiful and very tiny little pink baby who's so fragile you want to hold close and never let go. Then hearing the sound of her gulping her milk and seeing her content falling asleep on the bottle/breast. I breastfed for 2 weeks and even though it was painful, i am so glad i did it, wow to feel the closeness of your babies eyes staring up at you whilst latched on its amazing.
Then you see her grow bigger all the time and learning new things, the first smile-then non stop smiling especially for mummy & daddy,finding her hands and staring at them in fascination then her hands are everywhere pulling your nose, eating your phone,throwing toys at you lol
The best thing about them getting bigger is that theres more baby to hug and when she hugs you back and wraps her arms around your neck and many more i could go on forever.
Also when she cries, your the one to scoop her up and settle her down, wiping away the tears and singing softly until she gives you a smile that says "I love you so much"
There are no negatives to having a baby, its hard work with so many rewards that you immediately forget any negativity.
Good luck ttc- it took us 3 years and we have a beautiful 7 month old, Just stay positive.
Luv
Maria x

Answer 4

The first moment you are absolutely sure you are pregnant is amazing. The moment you feel them move for the first time inside you makes it all seem real. The first time you hold them and smell their baby skin. The first time you look into their eyes and they smile at you. The first giggle, the first mumma or dadda. The first steps. The first day they discover something amazing. The first day at school in uniform. The first prized art picture. The first mothers or fathers day card they write. The first time they are in a concert at school. The first parents evening where you feel so proud. The moments you sit and remember like how they fell asleep in your arms. The complete trust they put in your keeping them safe. The way they only let you do their hair, read them that story, sing them that song. The way they put their arms out for you when they have a cut knee. The way they defend you in the playground because no one elses mum is better. The way they can't stop telling you how your food is always better than at a 5* restaurant. The way they still hug you when they think none of their mates are watching. Oh there are loads!!!!

Good luck with your 'conceiving'!!!

Answer 5

hiya, don't listen to the negatives, you'll get them but the positives far outweigh them, but for me being pregnant was the most amazing experience feeling your baby inside you, when you give birth its so worth it when you actually meet your baby, your whole life changes for the better, breastfeeding is the most amazing feeling ever, sometimes i still look at mine now 10, 8, 8 and 4 and wonder how i'm so lucky to have my babies you can't explain the feeling you get but its lovely (warm fuzzies as you said) i still look at them when they're sleeping and go all soppy, and all their achievements from when they're babies to getting older each one makes you the proudest parent in the world even for something so small, none of us can really explain but good luck in concieving and i hope you feel the way i do about mine its so worth it being a mum's the best job in the world. x

Answer 6

highlights for me of having a baby are they make you feel like a kid all over again suddenly you are able to look forward to Santa and the Easter bunny and the tooth fairy. birthdays are bitter sweet your baby is growing you and is everything they are because you made them that way. and there is some sort of joy i get every time i get to see my 8 year old school work and then at the end of the school year hear the teacher say how great and amazing(which i already knew) my child is. and i look forward to every morning getting to dress up (the adult version of dress up) my mini me. a child is so sweet and beautiful when it really comes down to it in the end i never even have time to think about all the negative things because i am so busy enjoying the countless amazing thing my kids bring into my life every day good luck on making that baby!!!

Answer 7

The Highlights of having a child are probably too numerous to mention. I think the fact that you and your partner actually made a tiny baby is one of the most awesome things to me.

Having someone so totally dependent on you can have it's ups and downs. But speaking from a parents point of view, I definitely think there are more ups!

It's the tiny hand that holds yours so tightly when you go somewhere...of course those tiny hands can take off and leave you in a New York Minute if not watched..ha ha!!!

It is watching them grow, the learning, the times they can melt your heart before you even know what hit you.

It's that first picture they draw you and they say...guess what it is Mommy!!!?!

It's watching them in their first school play and crying because they are growing so fast.

It's trying to teach them right from wrong and yet at the same time, trying to let them spread their own wings, which develops their personality.......this can be very hard!!

It's watching them graduate and knowing...you have done your best and you stand so proud as they say...."thanks Mom and Dad"

I could write a book...I had five children of my own and raised two of my grandkids.........I would not trade it for anything.

Hope this helps.

Answer 8

The smell of a newborn baby. It's incredible and it lasts just a few days.
The rush of love. There's nothing like it.
The sound a baby makes - cooing and gurgling.
The excitement every time he or she reaches a milestone.
The feel of a baby's head against your cheek.
That first smile - and all the ones after that.
Your own rediscovery as your child looks at his world through wonder-filled eyes.
The innocence of a human, not yet worn down by care and regrets.

I'd have more tomorrow, if I had the money.

Answer 9

Breastfeeding was NOT painful for me, and I fed for 18 months, so please don't expect it to hurt. If it does, reattach and you'll be fine :)

My daughters first proper smile was a magical moment, all gummy and cheerful...we were standing in the kitchen when she just literally turned 6 weeks old and hasn't stopped smiling since:)

Seeing her walking and crawling and the first time she said 'Mama' and Dadda, so beautiful...
Everything about a baby is amazing, the unconditional love, the clapping that you get just for walking into a room...oh, I can't think of anything bad about it at all...

Great question!
Good luck, hope you manage to get pregnant soon. Here, have some baby dust
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Answer 10

I'm a mother of two my oldest just turned 7 and i swear it seems like she was just born and my youngest will be 2 injuly highlights in our house are watching my girls play together and try to comfort me if I stub my toe or something. I love hearing my baby tell me good night and I love you see u tomorrow although it sounds more like "nite wove u see morrow" she picked it up from my oldest one who still does that. Or running to "Daddy" when he gets home from work and that killer smile that says they know we love them unconditionally. Or laying in the bed while they fix my hair it's great having kids they truly are a blessing. And although we all go through that screaming I would not change it for the world

Answer 11

When they are being bad and you go to scold them and they give you "the look" and your heart melts and you forget why you were angry with them. When you burn dinner and an older child says go sit down and let me do it. A hug from a child can stop almost any pain and make you so grateful to be alive. Good luck and may you hear the satisfying sounds of childhood in your home soon.