Adding one (or more) exquisite, small, and helpless people can make first-time parents feel competent and delighted one minute, and small and helpless themselves the next. This can surprise them. It is not rare to witness pride, unrivaled love, hope, and feelings of exhaustion, worry, and self-doubt coexist. First-time parents have received support for many years from the facilitators of the New Parents Groups and the Youth and Family Psychotherapy Services. Their story demonstrates how parenthood truly is the great equalizer, as every new parent, no matter what their background, goes through an incredibly comparable experience. Thousands of parents have started that trip successfully with the guidance of these tips. Having children is a significant life change. Every change, no matter how much awaited, is met with some level of anxiety. And even with the greatest of intentions, we might need to modify our plans along the way.
Join a fresh group for parents. It need not be unique to your circumstances. First-time parents of multiples, adoptive parents, same-gender parents, single parents, and traditional couples share common joys and concerns. You’ll meet new people and receive accepting support. It is also true that a shared worry is halved and a shared enjoyment is multiplied.
