Parenting: Still Learning

April 22, 2013

Still Learning Parenting

Being a first time mum was quite overwhelming for me and I took a lot of comfort from websites, both when I was pregnant and with a newborn. I was always looking for information online, whether it was feeding advice or sleeping tips I found that there is a wealth of information out there. I also looked for advice aimed more specifically at us as Lucas had both reflux and eczema. Some of the tips I found online were invaluable and saved me a lot of time, money and anxiety. I think I drove my husband mad looking every little thing up but personally, I found reassurance in reading articles and hearing about what worked for other parents; it made me feel more confident in my decisions and more confident in my parenting skills.As Lucas got older parenting became more natural. However, now that he is firmly in the toddler stage of development I find myself looking for more information again. There are things I’m starting to wonder about: when will he be ready for a big bed and how should I go about making the transition? We are still a long way off the potty training stage but I want to research it and see how I should best prepare myself. As I’ve talked about on here before, he has been slow with his speech and I would like to know the best ways for me to help him improve. My friends with toddlers are discussing similar subjects; we have little chats about what we are trying and most of us turn to the internet when we are stuck for ideas.

When I first looked on the What to Expect website I was pleasantly surprised to find several articles relevant to me on the front page; Making the move to a toddler bed and How to start potty training were the first two that jumped out for me. Then I found myself looking through some others that caught my eye. Lucas sleeps brilliantly at night but daytime naps can be fraught; the article on Toddler naps was a good read for me and there were plenty more that I found interesting.

Even when we think we are settled and confident as parents, there is still some reassurance to be found in online articles, tips and advice. As Lucas grows and learns so do I; being a parent is challenging and rewarding. I’ve bookmarked the website for future reference, as I know it will come in handy!

I was asked by What To Expect if I would like review their website but I was not compensated for this post. I had already researched information on toddlers and found their articles helpful and informative. 
All opinions are honest and my own.
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6 Comments

  • Mummy Daddy and Me makes Three

    When I was pregnant with Mads and when she was first born, I constantly googled everything- in the end I had to step away from the internet as I was always worried. However as I started to relax in my new role as a Mum I actually found loads of useful advice. It is so helpful to find forums or sites where you see other Mum’s have exactly the same worries as you.x

    April 22, 2013 at 2:10 pm Reply
    • Hayley Smith

      I absolutely agree, I was a bit of a mad woman with google at first and it’s only once you take a step back you find the useful information! xx

      April 23, 2013 at 6:25 pm Reply
  • Victoria Stevens

    Netmums is also.good Ive made a lovely friend on there and we meet up now with our babies.

    April 22, 2013 at 6:41 pm Reply
    • Hayley Smith

      Yes, I like that too. Always good when you can interact with other Mums on websites!

      April 23, 2013 at 6:26 pm Reply
  • Sarah Greaves

    When my eldest one morning climbed out of her cot to wake me up (I think she was about 15 months old) I knew then she was ready for her cot to be changed to a bed. With G I only did it just before she was 3 this was because I had twin boys to tend to & it was more to help me. The same with potty training, its not a race is it? I waited again until G was easily 2.5 & she picked it up much quicker.
    I am so glad I’ve started blogging though as if I’ve got a problem I can ask one of your guys as from reading the blogs I feel connected to people more, do you know what I mean?
    Lucas will tell you when he’s ready xx

    April 26, 2013 at 10:03 pm Reply
    • Hayley Smith

      Yes, It’s great reading other blogs because you can see how different all children are and it gives you reassurance when you aren’t sure. He would probably be ready for a bed now but we’ll wait until Summer I think. Potty training will be some time yet but we definitely won’t start that until he is showing signs of being ready xx

      April 28, 2013 at 9:43 am Reply

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