First time mothers and second time mothers are very different. I’m certain there are differences for third and forth time moms, but I only have personal experience. Like most first-time moms, I too was a stereotype. I was a first-time mom who had a mix of excitement, nerves and research. I researched baby gear and consulted doctor Google with every newborn sniffle or grunt.
Baby years can be stressful, but they are also a time of great joy as we watch our miracles grow and learn. There is one bad habit which can steal this joy. Many of us have fallen victim to this bad habit at some point. It can also be harmful to your child. What is this bad habit then? Comparison. Isn’t comparison the main thief in joy?
You’ve probably heard that children develop at a different rate. If you were like me, and enthusiastically nodded in agreement with those words, then maybe you heard about a friend (or stranger!) A child of the same age was doing all these things: rolling over, clapping and sleeping, teething. They were also walking, talking, reading etc. Your joy was gone; worry and fear took over.
Doubts began to creep in. Am I stimulating them enough? Do I need to put them to sleep earlier? Is my child ill? Am I a bad mom? Your joy vanished in a blink of an eyes.