Parenting and Family Education

Archive for October, 2009

At the end of this article, you would have discovered 3 very important tips that will help you maintain – from start to finish – a healthy pregnancy!
Okay, let us begin.

The goal of every pregnant woman is this: To carry their baby from conception to delivery in good health! This is a great goal and desire BUT it’s one thing to “desire” and an ENTIRELY different one to “work at” or “achieve”!
Why do I say this you might ask? Well, because “desiring” alone won’t help you attain your goal – you must create a plan that will lead towards that target and then go out there to “work” your plan. But you are very busy right? RIGHT! You have to plan extensively for the arrival of your expected baby! Your body is changing and there are a lot of adjustments to be made! Etcetera, etcetera! Now that’s where this article comes in – Read it to the end and find 3 invaluable pregnancy tips that you can begin to apply today to help you towards your dream of having a healthy pregnancy!
TIP #1 – Stay Away From Harmful Substances!

Both the health of you and your baby can, and most likely will, be jeopardized if you don’t desist from ingesting substances that are harmful to the baby you are carrying. Coffee, alcohol, cigarettes, certain kinds of medicines, drugs, un-prescribed pills etc., etc. ALL of these can be extremely harmful to you and your baby while pregnant – You must consult your physician to advice you on the kinds of substances that are right for you at this delicate stage of you and your baby’s health. There should be no assumptions! Other harmful substances include sugar in large quantities and caffeine
TIP #2 – Exercise As Much As You Can!

This tip cannot be over-emphasized…The right amount of exercising not only regulates and rejuvenates your body organs and functions, it also enables you keep your body fit, normalizes tension levels in your body and keeps your blood pressure down and normal. Your baby needs your body in this condition to be healthy. And so do you! Walking and swimming are some of the exercises that you should indulge in.
TIP #3 – Get The Appropriate Nutrition!

My final tip is a good nutritional diet. This one is a challenge to keep – The major obstacle to this is that at the time of pregnancy, your body craves a lot of unusual stuff – food, drinks, smells, scents, passions etc., etc – and for this reason, staying away from certain kinds of foods WILL pose a challenge and stretch your will power – BUT remain focused! Remember that you and your baby’s health is at stake here…Most physicians will tell you that the majority of cravings is okay because your body is only demanding what is requires BUT in your “cravings”, just remember to eat a whole lot of grains and vegetables – especially the kind, which contains a lot of calcium, folic acid, iron and protein; all of which your baby needs to stay healthy!
Well, there you have it! 3 highly recommended tips that are guaranteed to keep you and your baby healthy – If you adhere to them that is.
I wish you and your baby(ies) great HEALTH!

“Restless in bed and sleepless through the night, I longed for my lover.

I wanted him desperately. His absence was painful…”- – Song of Solomon 3:1 (The Message)

Believe it or not, this verse describes the heart’s desire for a lot of new moms. Yet, as her husband you may be wondering if you and your spouse will ever engage in a healthy sexual relationship again. You really want to enjoy some time together as a couple, but are you uncertain how to approach her, especially since the baby was born? Here are some tips that any new mom would appreciate her husband taking into consideration:

1. Timing

Too often the joke is that sex slows down after marriage, and then completely stops after having children – as if women are no longer interested in sex after the children are born. What a raw deal! Most women enjoy healthy sexual relationships, but as a new mom she may need more understanding from you regarding timing and frequency.

Husband Tip: Be sensitive to the timing of her delivery. Physical healing after delivery is necessary to avoid further medical issues. Also, she may need some time for the emotional adjustment that comes with caring for a newborn – especially if there is more than child at home.

2. There is more to sex than just intercourse

For most women, sex is experiential, not just physical. In addition, the experiential part of sex starts long before the physical encounter. It is the emotional connection that that we are after, not just the physical pleasure.

Husband Tip: Be intentional about talking to your wife throughout the day. Start in the morning – that is if she is awake! Follow up perhaps throughout the day with a phone call to see how her day is going. Perhaps try and meet her for lunch. Keep in mind the simplest things can mean the most.

3. The biggest turn on that doesn’t cost a cent

Want to know something that you can do that can be a huge turn on to your wife that will not cost you a dime? Two words: help her. A lot of new moms feel like they need to do everything well – keep the house, meet all the needs of the baby and her family and work full time. It can mean the world to a new mom, when her spouse offers to help her out without having to be asked.

Husband Tip: Find something that your wife does not enjoy, or really needs help with and start doing it. Does she like waking up to a clean kitchen? Why not do the dishes? If you are really stuck on some ideas of what to do, why not ask her?

4. Physical appearance

For a new mom, physical appearance can be very sensitive. Often, it can take a while to lose any excessive weight gained from pregnancy. In a culture that tends to place a lot of emphasis on appearance, a new mom can be left feeling discouraged. As her husband, you can play significant role in her self esteem by providing verbal affirmation.

Husband Tip: Be observant of the strides that she is making to both lose weight, and express them. Also be intentional on how you can affirm her inner beauty not just her external looks. If you are afraid you may forget, then write down I Thessalonians 5:14 somewhere you will see it to remind you.

5. We need time away….without the kids

Often, a new mom can feel like she is in a whirlwind of new activity. Or you as her spouse may be feeling, often as she does, that your relational closeness is slipping away. Couples need time to focus on one another without being distracted with parenting. Stronger marital relationship makes for better parenting.

Husband Tip: Plan a weekend or overnight get away for you and your spouse alone. If you must take the baby with you because of breastfeeding, then still plan a special day where you can have some fun together alone.

Parenting a newborn can bring a shock to any marital relationship. It requires a lot of physical time and emotional energy from a new mom. As her husband, there are simple things you can do that will are meaningful and motivating to rekindle your marital relationship.

As good mothers and fathers, we all differ in many ways. We all have various interests, strengths and values which make us good parents. Advice from other parents should be taken with “a pinch of salt”, as they may not live up to your expectations; don’t be disappointed or discouraged if others try to put you right. You may not be one for getting down to child’s level by rolling around on the floor with your child; you prefer to let your child explore and find things out on their own, and that’s your prerogative. Whatever suits you and your child is a good enough method, and no one should be able to tell you otherwise! Recognise your own personal parenting style and embrace it, as it is your business how you go about things as a parent; it’s your expectations that matter to help you enjoy parenting.

Keep in mind that others may give you advice and mean well, but at the end of the day, you know your child better. You see how your child is day and night, as he eats, sleeps, grow, explores, learns and plays. You will soon know what works best for your child, the lifestyle that you have and what is better all round for your household. It all involves trial and error, just like anything else in life that is new.

People will always offer the advice on what you should do, especially regarding your child’s napping and their sleeping habits at bedtime, so remember that yours and your child’s personal style matters the most. You have already covered what works best for you and your child, and what doesn’t so you should continue with that pattern. Sleep habits vary from one child to another, so there are no rules to follow except, knowing that your child needs their sleep! Your child’s sleeping pattern will change as he gets older, so you can adapt to suit him. By keeping in tune with your child, their sleeping habits shouldn’t become a problem, or for you!