The Parent Voice

I knew very little about babies and how to care for them before having my little one, and I received a lot of helpful advice from friends and family. I will share some of the information that I found most helpful and a few things I wish I had known earlier.

I'm so grateful for my parents giving me the gift of a magical childhood. I will carry on some traditions from my childhood, others I may not keep, and we will also create new traditions of our own.

Now that my son has just turned a year old, I have been reflecting on this time last year and all our decisions. This year, I plan to speak up more and set better boundaries.

This year, I have made it a goal to reclaim the holiday season and start new traditions with my family that will add fun and meaning during the holiday season. Having a new baby gives my husband and me fresh eyes and a renewed sense of wonder and joy. I am excited to start new family traditions that, hopefully, my daughter will look back on with warmth in her heart.

It is no fun to be sick, and when we feel lousy, the last thing we probably think about is taking care of our teeth and gums. But when you are sick, taking care of your good oral health is more important than you might think.

I will share my cloth diapering experience and hopefully help answer questions that folks who are new to cloth diapering have.

Though all new parents are sure to face challenges in the postpartum period, it can be a joyous time, and I would love to share a few tips on setting yourself up for success postpartum.

Of course, babies bring deep happiness and value to our lives, but their arrival can also bring changes that are more difficult to cope with. Like many women, I experienced what was later diagnosed as postpartum anxiety.

I am a long way from having complex conversations with my child, such as cultural appropriation. In the meantime, I will be conscious about what my daughter wears for Halloween and how we represent and talk about other cultures in our home.

Failing to research sleep has probably been one of my biggest parenting flops so far.