Some helpful advice for new moms out there
CRANBERRY TWP — When making the transition to motherhood, women get a lot of advice from well-intentioned and seasoned moms. Some of it is helpful. Some of it is not.
Here's what some local moms said is good advice that they've received and want to pass on to others.
“Don't sweat the small stuff,” said Jessica Kridler.
Kridler and her two children, Jackson and Emma, met with two other mothers and their children at the Kids Castle Playground in the Cranberry Township Community Park for an afternoon of fun in the sun one recent weekday.
Kridler also said to enjoy your children while they're little. They won't stay that way for long, she said. Sometimes that might mean letting the laundry and the dishes in the sink go to spend time with them, she said. Sometimes that is a struggle for Kridler to balance, she admitted, as she's a Type A personality.
“Pick and choose your battles,” said Melissa Aretz. Aretz has two children, Duke, 2, and Morgan, 5.
Aretz said her mother gave her some age-old advice that sounds good in theory but is sometimes difficult to practice. “Sleep when the baby sleeps,” Aretz said.
It's a good idea, but was harder to do when she saw the state of the house and wanted to spend that precious baby-free time tidying
Sleeping when the baby sleeps is also more difficult when you have more than one kid, said Megan Henteges. Henteges has two young girls, Charlotte, 5, and Libby, 4.
Henteges said moms of multiple children should always plan around the weakest link. Moms know that each child they have is different in temperament and behavior. So plan the ideal situation around the child that needs the most attention.
And while it's good to have a plan, Aretz said be ready for change and adapt that plan. “Something will happen,” she said, to even the most carefully laid plans. A diaper blowout. A tantrum. A skinned knee. Poor weather.
“You just never know what it might be, but something will happen to derail everything,” Aretz said.
