May 28, 2014 – Taking care of a new baby can be time consuming with diaper changes, feedings and play time. While spending every available moment with your infant may put you on the list for parent-of-the-year, it’s a good idea to take some guilt-free time out for your own needs. Military life can be demanding with long hours, shifting work hours and frequent deployments. The following are helpful tips on how to carve out a few moments for yourself.
Toys and Infant Gadgets
You’ll find a host of toys and gadgets geared for the enjoyment of your infant. While the items can help your child grow and develop, the same baby gadgets can allow you a few moments of peace and quiet. A baby bouncer is equipped with an assortment of bells, whistles, colored lights, sounds, melodies and toys. It also provides a soothing motion to ease your child into a relaxing and happy mood. Loungers and play yards such as those found at Kids II are helpful for keeping infants comfortable and safe and are also great for traveling. While the amenities can aid your child in skill development, you can capture a few moments to read, pay bills or enjoy a favorite T.V. program.
Enlisting The Help of Others
With a little planning, and the assistance of a reliable support system, you can carve out time to regroup every day. If your spouse is deployed, you may need to reach out for additional help that the military offers. Go online and take advantage of the services available to you, especially if you don’t have access to military installation child care.
You should be able to do something for yourself each day without guilt. You may even be able to escape to the gym and use the free childcare many fitness centers offer their members. In addition to doing something good for your health and wellness, your baby will get to interact with other children.
Lean on Your Mate
If you’re breast-feeding, getting up at night will rest on your weary shoulders. However, new dads can pull their own weight when it comes to child rearing. It’s also important for your spouse to become a part of your child’s life. In addition to providing them with time to bond together, you’ll be able to enjoy some alone time. As a mom, whether you have a relaxing massage, get pampered with a new cut and color, catch up on sleep or take a hot bath, you’ll look forward to this precious escape. It can also make you a better parent when you carve out some guilt-free moments alone.
Put In Time With Friends
It can be helpful to take a break and just be around your best buddies. If you’re all a bunch of new parents, you can schedule a group play date. This allows your children time to bond and interact together, while you socialize and share child-raising stories with friends. You can also schedule a sitter, so you can enjoy some time alone with your pals while dining out, having coffee or catching a movie.
The responsibilities of taking care of a new infant are plentiful. If you’re in the military, and especially if your spouse is deployed, you may feel challenged in terms of day-to-day time management. However, you don’t have to feel like a bad parent for wanting to take some time for yourself. With the above ideas, you’ll be able to recharge your batteries and cherish the time that you spend together with your new infant.
Teresa Stewart enjoys writing about well being. She presents this post to busy military parents…ensuring you are healthy in mind and body will give a leg up for caring for your children.
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