Hellobee Boards Topic: Does being a parent come naturally to you?

Hellobee Boards Topic: Does being a parent come naturally to you? https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Thu, 30 Apr 2026 14:54:52 +0000 sbjmorgan on "Does being a parent come naturally to you?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/does-being-a-parent-come-naturally-to-you#post-29331 Wed, 07 Dec 2011 14:58:41 +0000 sbjmorgan 29331@https://boards.hellobee.com/ I feel like it's come pretty natural, but I've worked around a LOT of children of all ages. I got an idea of what to do/what not to do. I guess in the end, I just don't stress too much about it. The only problem I'm having is the guilt about leaving her with a sitter/nanny/daycare to go out or to work. looch on "Does being a parent come naturally to you?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/does-being-a-parent-come-naturally-to-you#post-29322 Wed, 07 Dec 2011 14:53:25 +0000 looch 29322@https://boards.hellobee.com/ Ask me when I have a teenager, that's what really stresses me out. Right now, I can contain my son as needed and I can remove him from situations that are unsuitable...when he's older, I worry about dealing with bullies, stranger danger, etc. Rubies on "Does being a parent come naturally to you?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/does-being-a-parent-come-naturally-to-you#post-29245 Wed, 07 Dec 2011 13:17:32 +0000 Rubies 29245@https://boards.hellobee.com/ @artbee: It's getting better because she's getting bigger. Also, I'm not afraid to let her cry. I used to be so scared of letting her cry that I'd end up holding her for hours and hours on end. But now I realize that babies cry - that's just what they do! And her fussing is just that - FUSS. I still have my low days and I'm still exhausted and frustrated but little by little, I have to just remind myself that I'm human. ecogirl on "Does being a parent come naturally to you?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/does-being-a-parent-come-naturally-to-you#post-29237 Wed, 07 Dec 2011 13:09:19 +0000 ecogirl 29237@https://boards.hellobee.com/ It came pretty naturally to me also. I was surprised since I never thought I would want children at this age. I tend to be very mellow but focused so I think he fit right into my life. heffalump on "Does being a parent come naturally to you?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/does-being-a-parent-come-naturally-to-you#post-29234 Wed, 07 Dec 2011 13:06:47 +0000 heffalump 29234@https://boards.hellobee.com/ @Rubies: What's making it better for you? Is your LO less fussy now a days, or are you learning not to stress as much? Rubies on "Does being a parent come naturally to you?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/does-being-a-parent-come-naturally-to-you#post-29223 Wed, 07 Dec 2011 12:43:20 +0000 Rubies 29223@https://boards.hellobee.com/ Not at all. And this was sad for me because I thought it would because I've dreamed of being a mom for years. But like Mrs. Bee, I stress out a lot and the hardships of being a first-time mom took a toll on me. But now it's getting MUCH better. Lozza on "Does being a parent come naturally to you?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/does-being-a-parent-come-naturally-to-you#post-29222 Wed, 07 Dec 2011 12:43:15 +0000 Lozza 29222@https://boards.hellobee.com/ Categorically speaking, I do not like children (of any age), so I wasn't sure how all this would work out, and it turns out that I'm not a huge fan of newborns even when they're my own. (Possibly especially when they are my own, since other people generally don't expect me to breastfeed their babies) Now that LO is older, though, I totally feel like a natural. It's awesome. Red on "Does being a parent come naturally to you?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/does-being-a-parent-come-naturally-to-you#post-29201 Wed, 07 Dec 2011 11:54:47 +0000 Red 29201@https://boards.hellobee.com/ To my surprise, being a parent did seem to come naturally to me. I've always been standoffish with other people's babies so I was apprehensive before LO came. I armed myself by reading tons of books and although the books definitely helped, I think being an older (and hopefully, wiser) parent made a big difference for me. I know myself better now and trust my instincts more. I'm also a lot more patient now, which is a must dealing with babies/toddlers. heffalump on "Does being a parent come naturally to you?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/does-being-a-parent-come-naturally-to-you#post-29164 Wed, 07 Dec 2011 10:42:35 +0000 heffalump 29164@https://boards.hellobee.com/ I think it's something I struggle with. Being a new, first time mom, I feel like that's normal though. I don't have any prior baby experience, so I had no clue what I was doing. I had only held one newborn before! But I feel like it's something you pick up quickly, especially since you're constantly doing it. The only problem is, once you think you have something figured out she gets bigger and something new happens and you have to learn everything new all over again. Maysprout on "Does being a parent come naturally to you?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/does-being-a-parent-come-naturally-to-you#post-29136 Wed, 07 Dec 2011 09:40:59 +0000 Maysprout 29136@https://boards.hellobee.com/ I worry about LO all the time but I don't worry about parenting too much. I read about it a lot and put energy into trying to do my best but I try not to overanalyze too much especially when I'm interacting with her. If certain parenting techniques dont feel right we dont use those, we've just been going with what feels natural.. I know I'll make mistakes but so far baby has just felt like a normal extension. Andrea on "Does being a parent come naturally to you?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/does-being-a-parent-come-naturally-to-you#post-29126 Wed, 07 Dec 2011 09:33:39 +0000 Andrea 29126@https://boards.hellobee.com/ I was really stressed out in the beginning but I don't equate that with not being a "natural". I still felt like somewhat of a natural even though I am a worry wart. I was just in tune with what my daughter needed and my DH would always be amazed that I just *knew* what was wrong and what needed to be done for her. And it is hard to know about other people, they might just pretend to be stress-free and in actuality they are stress balls so I don't worry about what other moms are doing. Mrs. Bee on "Does being a parent come naturally to you?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/does-being-a-parent-come-naturally-to-you#post-29115 Wed, 07 Dec 2011 09:20:31 +0000 Mrs. Bee 29115@https://boards.hellobee.com/ I've been thinking about a follow-up to my sibling spacing post where I talk about the influence of parenting personality/dynamics on sibling relationships based on some of the great comments. That got me to thinking about how being a parent seems to come more naturally for some, while it's more challenging/stressful for others. I'm in the stressed camp. Don't get me wrong - I love being a mom and wouldn't trade Charlie or Olive for anything in the world. But I think it's just my nature/personality to be stressed, and I don't think being a parent really came naturally for me. Sure it's a huge learning experience for everyone, but I marvel at how some moms just seem to be able to go with the flow so well. Did parenting come naturally to you, or is it something you struggle with?