What questions did you have as a new parent? Did any surprise you?

1. 72

   frugalfamilyposted 12 years ago

   I'm looking for questions you had as a new parent. What didn't you think about until you need the answer?  What questions did you think you knew the answers to and then realized you need more information?

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2. 84

   Max Daltonposted 12 years ago

   I thought our daughter would eat, but that didn't happen, lol. My wife, who is the most overprepared person in the world, even seemed like she didn't even know what to do. We survived and she eats solid foods well now, but the first six months were a real nightmare.

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   1. 72

      frugalfamilyposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      It seems like everyone giving advice about eating have something different to say. My doc said not to try solids until 6 months but my 1st was ready at 4monts..I guess i was a rebel.

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3. 96

   leahleflerposted 12 years ago

   Sleep was a real issue with my older son, and toilet training threw us for a loop!  We did get it figured out, thankfully.
   
   My younger son is a whole different ball of wax. We're still trying to figure him out (and probably never will - complex medical issues). So that was a surprise, but he's taught us a lot in his four years of life!

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   1. 72

      frugalfamilyposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Even without medical issues a second child can throw any parent for a loop. Just when you think you have it figured out the next child has different behaviors! Thanks for responding.

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4. 79

   LeanManposted 12 years ago

   My three year old daughter asked what a climax was........
   
   
   
   
   I paused and thought for a few minutes - then thought to ask why....
   
   
   She said that in the film  "Dumbo" the ringmaster says "and now for the climax"....
   
   Phew!!!!!!

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   1. 72

      frugalfamilyposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      I love it! That made me laugh out loud...but did you ever actually sit down and watch Dumbo?  I couldn't believe the drunk bubbles scene!

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5. 62

   Bianuposted 12 years ago

   Definitely on sleep related matters. No one - not my mum, not the Doctor, not the neighbors ever mentioned it.
   
   No body told me I would go four months straight before I would be able to sleep more than four hours at a stretch.
   
   It was the most bleary eyed period of my life.

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6. 60

   tjustisposted 12 years ago

   I had a baby a few months ago, and I can honestly say that we were really prepared for most normal things. I am a little addicted to research, so with that and all the classes that they recommend that parents take, I thought I was set. That all changed three days after she was born. We came home from the hospital, and everything was fine until that evening. Then I had a medical emergency and had to be rushed back to the hospital. Fortunately my mom was there to take care of our baby, but we had completely forgotten to buy bottles for her! I didn't think we would need them right away as I was breastfeeding. All I can say is that it's good to have friends with children who live close to you. Our friends had a bottle that the were able to rush over, and we had some sample containers of formula so she was able to be fed. It just goes to show you that you can't plan for every eventuality, but things have a way of working out.

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   1. 72

      frugalfamilyposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Would you please contact me? I'd like to use your story.

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7. 77

   OfTheHeartposted 12 years ago

   Actually I had nothing but questions as a new parent.  Everything my daughter did, I questioned if it was good, did it mean something, was I not doing something?  I constantly researched and sought out answers from the web, doctors, books, friends and family members.  Even though babies were not foreign to me (I had a niece and nephew) no amount of babysitting could prepare me for the long nights, multiple feedings, icky diapers, spit ups, etc.  It was all a surprise to me!! lol

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   1. 72

      frugalfamilyposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      How old is your child now?  I hope you are able to breathe a bit better...listen to your gut and you should be fine:)  Let me know if you need help!

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         OfTheHeartposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         She is 3 now and I think if she's walking, eating, talking and seems happy I did an ok job thus far...LOL  Thanks!

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         1. 72

            frugalfamilyposted 12 years agoin reply to this

            Oh good, that is a relief!

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8. 60

   shea duaneposted 12 years ago

   My most pressing question as a new parent was: Why do people who know nothing about my family or my child think they know what is right for my child and feel they have the right to criticize me? People make such sweeping generalizations about what good parenting is... Humans are individuals, not robots.

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   1. 72

      frugalfamilyposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      I'm pretty sure I agree with you here, but I'd love to know some specifics!

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9. 60

   Captain Redbeardposted 12 years ago

   I have 5 kids. My oldest son is 9, then 6-girl, 6-girl, 4-boy and finally a 20 month old girl.......
   
   One night a few weeks ago we were all up stairs in the boy's room hanging out and my son was telling a story about when my wife was pregnant with my youngest son and we were all laughing and jokeing. Well my oldest daughter asks me, "How does the baby come out?" I froze.
   
   "What do you mean?"
   "Ummm the baby is in mommy's tummy and then it comes out. How does it do that?"
   
   I cringed, I flinched and I began to sweat lol
   
   "Well how do you think they come out?" This was the only thing I could think of and to my suprise she gets an embarresed grin and points to "herself" saying, "Down there I think."
   
   All I could do was shake my head yes as they all cut up laughing and scream, "EEEWWWWW gross!"
   
   I just thank God there wasn't the follow up question, "How did the baby get in there!" heh heh heh heh

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   1. 72

      frugalfamilyposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Thats's an awesome story!  Do you think you might use the same answer for more questions? It's actually a great way to encourage critical thinking (and it gets us off the hook sometimes too:)

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      1. 60

         Captain Redbeardposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         I encourage my kids to do as muc thinking as possible. We all write a story every month. We take 4 weeks writing it and then on the last weekend of every month we sit and read them and eat pizza. It's a great way to see how their mind works and a great tool to get them to read. My wife and I can see what kind of storys they enjoy most by what type of storys they write the most and we can gear them towards things that will draw them in.
         
         We have also found that one of our kids has actually started a prayer journal all on her own. I found it the other day when I was picking up her room. It's written in crayon and most all the words are misspelled but it is what it is.
         
         I have found that when answering a question, it is best to ask them to define the question or to ask them how exactly they would work out the answer before giving any input. They usually are able to work it out for themselves if you ask them the same question right back at them!

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         1. 72

            frugalfamilyposted 12 years agoin reply to this

            Oh Captain, I have got to tell you the teacher inside me is jumping up and down at that writing! I absolutely LOVE it! I had some really awesome writers in 1st grade by doing just what you did, and Friday was always a blast!
            
            The prayer journal is just too precious.  I still have a note my son wrote to the mail man at the age of 6..I hope you find a way to capture that memory without disturbing it!
            
            I love your description of question answering..I might have to follow up with you on that for my blog or something:)

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            1. 60

               Captain Redbeardposted 12 years agoin reply to this

               Anytime I have 5 kids so I'm sure I have plenty of stories

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