POSITIVE PARENTING
From Director to Mom BY MOLLY BROUSSEAU
I
started working with kids at a young age and I thought I knew everything being a mom. Boy was I wrong! Being a first time mom is tough. There are hundreds of articles and Instagram accounts which all claim to have the secret to parenting, but the truth is there is no “one size fits all” when it comes to a newborn. Also, there is NO such thing as bad advice, so, take what you need and leave the rest. As a mom and an educator, I can only speak from experience when sharing with you what I’ve learned in these first 9 months of motherhood. Pinterest is a mom’s best friend (thank you to all the moms who have the time and the talent to post what I can only hope to recreate). There you can find anything from kid recipes, to photo ops, to life saving baby hacks! Don’t compare yourself to anyone! Every child is different, and every parent has an opinion. I have seen this both as a preschool director and a mother, your child will feed off your energy. If you are stressed the baby will feel it, so take the time to
breath and relax. “Sleep when the baby sleeps”, people make it sound so easy. They do not mention all the other things that need to be done like the laundry, dinner, or cleaning hundreds of baby bottles! So instead, sleep when your body needs it. Try to prioritize what needs to be done, making sure that whatever that is, is good for you, not the person you are trying to empress. Trust me it does get better, you will find your groove! Allow your child to build their independence at a young age. This means giving them time for safe and supervised independent play. Also, as moms it is often easier and faster to do things for our children, but what are they learning? Babies are learning new things at a rapid rate and allowing them to explore on their own not only boosts creativity but also begins to build their confidence. This will help them feel secure and allow mom to get simple chores done around the house at the same time! The best piece of advice I received was to “enjoy every moment because they grow up fast”. This is something I heard 100 times while pregnant but never truly understood until now. Being present for our children is increasingly more important as we live busy, on the go, lifestyles and this starts from day one. Put down the phone and take everything in, the
good and the bad. Cherish the 3 AM feedings, pretty soon you will be looking down to find your little boy won’t fit in your lap anymore. Most importantly, have fun! Being a mother is the most rewarding, scary, and exhilarating experience but I can promise you, if you are enjoying it, your baby is doing just fine! Molly Brousseau a first time mom and an educator with over 14 years of experience working with young children. She graduated from FIU with her bachelors in Elementary Education and has worked teaching children from preschool to elementary levels. She received her director’s credential and also a National Administrators Certificate and has been directing preschool for the last five years. She is currently the director at Tiny Planet Preschool and has been since they opened five years ago.
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There is no one better to sell your home than your own Weston neighbors! 42 NOVEMBER 2020 | OUR CITY WESTON | OURCITYMEDIA.COM
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