If you’re a parent with a little one and feel like getting anything done is an uphill battle, rest assured you’re completely normal. Lowering your standards in some areas is not just acceptable; it’s often necessary. It’s time to stop feeling guilty about it. If your baby is fed and content while your dishes are piled high, that’s perfectly okay.
Did you manage to get yourself and your kids dressed for work and daycare this week, but then come home and collapse into the same sweats every night because laundry felt like too much? You’re definitely not alone. If you’re lucky enough to squeeze in a shower each day, focusing on creativity likely isn’t on your radar right now. We’re all in this together, wearing leggings with questionable stains, and we totally understand.
When you have a baby, it’s often essential to embrace a simplified approach to life for a while. Be kind to yourself. Caring for a baby is a massive undertaking. Your body has changed, and sleep is a luxury you may not have. Moreover, there’s a unique kind of tiredness that comes from being constantly aware of someone else’s needs. A baby simply can’t supervise itself, leaving little room for other responsibilities.
If you find it challenging to do everything as you did before your baby arrived, don’t worry; that’s the most common experience. Take shortcuts, seek out easier solutions, and don’t stress about it. Of course, we all know we can’t focus solely on baby care around the clock. Most of us have jobs, and we want to keep our homes somewhat livable. We should probably shower too!
So, embrace the idea of doing the bare minimum. Some tasks must get done, and we all acknowledge that. However, now is not the time to push your limits. Allow yourself to simply complete necessary tasks without striving for perfection. You can worry about getting back to your usual routine when your baby doesn’t require constant attention.
If you feel pressured—by yourself or others—to be super productive while caring for your infant, know that it’s perfectly fine to let some things slide.
Now, there might be that one perfect parent who reads this and struggles to let the rest of us live.
Well, Ms. Perfect Parent, before you start listing everything you manage to accomplish daily with your baby in tow, save your breath. Some thrive under pressure. If you find it easy to do it all, then go for it. Just remember, that approach doesn’t work for everyone. Some of us don’t perform well under stress, and we get to choose our own way of doing things.
It’s not that I can’t do it all; I choose not to. Not when I have a baby. Caring for an infant is significant work, and I feel justified in viewing it as my primary job, while everything else is just additional tasks. My partner is supportive and doesn’t expect me to fulfill outdated household roles. If I spend two hours snuggling my baby and reading books instead of cleaning, he sees that as valuable time, and so do I.
And let’s be clear: every time you have a new baby, you become a new parent again. You need time to recover and adjust with each addition, and that’s your right.
I work from home and have two school-age kids and a baby. Right now, I’m sitting cross-legged in bed with my laptop on my lap, my baby sleeping beside me. When I began working from home as a writer, I envisioned myself at my great-grandmother’s antique desk, writing peacefully without interruptions. My boys are great at playing independently, and I thought this job would fit our lifestyle perfectly.
However, just a few weeks in, I discovered I was pregnant with my third child. Now that baby is a year old, and I’m just starting to find my rhythm again. This doesn’t mean I’m back to my old self, but I’m beginning to see hope. A year in, I can sense that life will normalize soon. My baby is growing up, and this chaos won’t last forever.
For many new parents, productivity can be a struggle for quite some time after a baby arrives. I’m not ashamed to admit I’m one of them. For a long while—close to a year and a half—after each of my children were born, I adopted a bare minimum mindset. I focused on ensuring my children are well cared for while keeping my work in check. Everything else is optional.
I used to feel guilty about not doing more, but I’ve realized that the expectations placed on new parents are unrealistic. We are not obligated to exhaust ourselves trying to ensure that welcoming a new human into our lives doesn’t change anything. Right now, I’m focused on maintaining the bare minimum, and that’s perfectly fine. I’ll elevate my standards once my baby is a bit older.
Further Reading
For further insights on home insemination, you can check out this article, and for authoritative information on artificial insemination, visit Make A Mom. Additionally, Hopkins Medicine offers excellent resources for pregnancy and home insemination.
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Summary
Caring for a baby can make it feel nearly impossible to accomplish daily tasks. It’s essential for new parents to recognize that it’s normal to prioritize the bare minimum in other areas during this challenging time. Embracing a simplified approach and giving yourself grace can help ease the pressure. Remember, you’re not alone in this journey, and it’s perfectly fine to focus on the essential tasks while allowing yourself time to adjust to your new life.
Keyphrase: baby care and productivity
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