Lately, I’ve been reflecting on how my parenting style has evolved as I juggle three kids compared to when I was a first-time parent. When I say “I,” I truly mean me—maybe you all have it figured out better than I do, and if so, kudos to you! Right now, my main goals are to keep them somewhat clean and well-fed. But when we had just our first child, my approach was entirely different.
Monthly Milestones
- First child: I captured adorable monthly photos of my baby, complete with cute signs or stickers.
- Second child: Managed to take most monthly shots but skipped a few, maybe with less fancy outfits.
- Third child: Not a chance.
Celebrating Holidays
- First child: I sent out festive photo cards for every occasion, from Valentine’s Day to Easter.
- Second child: Acknowledged Valentine’s Day and other minor holidays but skipped the custom cards.
- Third child: Wait, Valentine’s Day is TOMORROW? Quick dash to the store at 11 PM for whatever box cards are left, hoping the kids score some decent candy at school.
First Birthday Bash
- First child: I orchestrated a meticulously planned, Pinterest-worthy first birthday with a smash cake and a photo session.
- Second child: A simple party at home.
- Third child: A family gathering for the first birthday cake (sorry, little buddy).
Educational Efforts
- First child: I diligently taught them everything a toddler should know and then some.
- Second child: Tried to teach what I could, but figured they’d learn in due time.
- Third child: When did he even learn THAT?
Handling Illness
- First child: I called the doctor for every minor sniffle or fever.
- Second child: Occasionally called the doctor.
- Third child: The doctor calls me instead because I missed another checkup.
Tracking Milestones
- First child: I was hyper-aware of developmental milestones and worried if they lagged.
- Second child: Thought, “Oh, I guess that’s around when the first one did x, y, z.”
- Third child: Meh, he’ll get there eventually.
Managing Injuries
- First child: Oh no! She fell! I rushed over, looked for any signs of injury, and called the doctor “just in case.”
- Second child: He fell! Checked for blood and bumps, decided he was fine.
- Third child: He fell. He’ll get back up.
I am thankful my partner decided on a vasectomy after the last one; I can’t imagine a fourth without needing more therapy than we can afford. If you’re exploring the world of home insemination, you might find resources on fertility supplements helpful, and for more information on at-home insemination kits, check out Cryobaby’s website.
Summary
In essence, parenting evolves dramatically as families grow—from meticulous planning and worry with the first child to a more relaxed attitude with subsequent kids. This shift reflects not just changes in circumstance but also a deeper understanding of what really matters in raising children. For those looking into home insemination, articles like this one from Parents provide valuable insights.
Keyphrase: Parenting differences between first and third child
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