Beech Tree News Network

Last week, I received an announcement of the birth of a friend’s grandson. The parents had included all the critical information: name, gender, date of birth, birth weight and length, as well as the parents’ names. But, best of all, the announcement had four pictures of the handsome baby boy. Babies are such a blessing! Somehow, my memories of the first days following the births of my beloved daughters are mixed up with the daily tasks of a young mother.

Wikipedia reported that “United States current birth rates are the lowest ever recorded. The low birth rates in the contemporary United States can possibly be ascribed to the recession, which led women to postpone having children and fewer immigrants coming to the US” (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Birth_rate). I’m sure that’s true; but, I know of four babies born very recently and another one overdue. So, life continues.

Many people have shared their thoughts about babies. A few are listed below (http://www.allgreatquotes.com/baby_quotes.shtml; http://www.quotegarden.com/parents.html): 
•    People who say they sleep like a baby usually don't have one. --Leo J. Burke
•    I can't think why mothers love them. All babies do is leak at both ends. --Douglas Feaver
•    Making the decision to have a child is momentous. It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body. --Elizabeth Stone
•    It would seem that something which means poverty, disorder and violence every single day should be avoided entirely, but the desire to beget children is a natural urge. --Phyllis Diller
•    There are two lasting bequests we can give our children. One is roots. The other is wings. --Hodding Carter, Jr.
•    The trouble with learning to parent on the job is that your child is the teacher. --Robert Brault
•    Children are a great comfort in your old age — and they help you reach it faster, too. --Lionel Kauffman

Babies bring joy to their parents. I enjoyed mine; but, I also spent time trying to control the daily chaos. So, I asked friends and family, “If new parents asked you for parenting advice, what advice would you give them?” Their responses are below:
•    Sleep when the baby sleeps! Get some naps when and while you can.
•    Start young with boundaries and discipline. Be their parent, not their friend. And most important, teach them to love the Lord.
•    Read the Bible and pray over and with your kids. It’s a tough, cruel world out there.
•    Do what you say. So many parents threaten and never follow through. For teenagers, set rules and stick to them. Let your children know they are a special part of your life, and hug them. Some parents would give the world to hold their child one more time. In the blink of an eye, they’re grown and living their own lives.
•    Exemplify the character you’d like for them to model for the rest of their lives. Take them to church regularly. Pray for them by name every day.
•    You can’t spoil a baby, be the parent first and friend second, and enjoy every minute because they will be grown before you know it.
•    Do not keep the house quiet. Continue on with your routine so they get used to sleeping with noise.
•    Don’t spoil your child. Teach them manners, the value of things, and kindness. Don’t be too firm in your parenting technique; be a friend, not a stern dictator.
•    Don’t get so stressed out; it flies by! Enjoy each moment.
•    Do what your heart tells you is right, and enjoy the fleeting time. There is not – nor will there ever be – perfection.
•    Live by example the characteristics you want them to grow up with and grow into. Pick your battles (rain boots with a tutu is perfectly fine attire). Enjoy them; laugh with them. Realize that your time with them is the most important thing to them; you’re like a superhero to them – what you show up for matters. Pray for them and in front of them.
•    Parents never quit loving their children.
•    To new parents: Pray! Pray every day that your precious child follows the will of God. A year or so ago, I was speaking to my mother. She mentioned that there will always be things that a parent wants for their child, but not all of those wants and dreams align with God’s plan. I was blessed to have a mother that realized this at a young age. Every time she prayed, she prayed that her daughter do the will of God rather than what we may have wanted. This is what I believe to be a precious and important part of parenthood, especially for new parents who carry so many hopes and dreams!
•    Don’t be afraid to ask for help. People want to help, and there is no shame in asking. All moms remember those first weeks. Moms, your hormones are going to make your emotions crazy. It is perfectly normal to feel the range of emotions you will experience. You may cry and have no idea why you’re crying. And, that’s okay. Don’t feel silly for asking questions. You learn by experience and by asking people who have already been there. Pray for God to give you wisdom and thank Him every day for entrusting you with His child.
•    Never lose the ability to speak honestly, never forget respect, never distance your love, and be yourself.
•    Sleep when the baby sleeps!
•    Your child will not be perfect nor will you as parents. Simply love them for who they are. And, hopefully, they will love you back for who you are.
•    By word and deed, teach them to love God and to love your neighbor.

Carl Sandburg said. “A baby is God’s opinion that the world should go on.” The new parents who sent me the announcement of their son’s birth will be good, loving parents. I hope they – and all new parents – can focus on and enjoy each day. As a Polish proverb says: “You have a lifetime to work, but children are only young once.”