Chicago Baby - Fall 2008 - (Page 6) FROM THE EDITOR Lesson learned veryone says that being a parent is the hardest job you’ll ever have, but no one can really explain what that means. Sure, you know sleep will be a rare commodity and there will be times when you just don’t know what to do, but I’ve found there is no way to really prepare yourself for those first few weeks of parenthood. I was overwhelmed by how different everything was—I knew my life would change, but for awhile it seemed as though every single aspect of my life was completely opposite to how it was before my son arrived. Now that he’s closing in on 3 months old, bits and pieces of my premother life have returned, but they’re just not as important anymore. Nothing can compete with a big, squinty, toothless grin from my baby boy. Another thing I’ve learned during my brief time as a mother is that nothing ever happens the way you planned. I thought I would go into labor at home a few days before my due date—I ended up being induced a week and half past my E Landon Allan end-of-May due date. I thought my son occasion, he’s really a happy baby. would spend most of his early days sleepBefore I went on maternity leave, ing in his bassinet—although he slept a myself and the other editors decided to lot, he didn’t want to sleep in his bassinet give Chicago Baby a bit of a facelift. To for more than 30 minutes for the first help you quickly get to the articles that couple of weeks. I told my apply to your life right now, we’re husband not to waste money organizing everything by stage: on sleep positioners, only to pregnancy, 0-3 months, 3-6 find that our baby would months and 6-12 months. Nothing can only sleep on his own In each section you’ll compete with a big, when swaddled and surfind helpful advice, tips squinty, toothless grin rounded on all sides. Of and information to help from my baby boy. course, there have been you get through everything pleasant surprises, too. We from picking a name for your were greeted with our first baby to interviewing child care smile weeks before the baby providers. Flip to the back of the development books say to expect it. magazine and you’ll find resources Although naps are still hit or miss, he was listing support groups, classes, organizakind enough to start sleeping five to six tions and more. I hope all these changes hours a night just before I went back to make Chicago Baby an even better work. And best of all, except for the rare resource for your family. JENNIFER GILBERT chiaravalle montessori school Chiaravalle Montessori School provides quality, child-centered education in the Montessori tradition. Our inspired educators develop confident learners. We offer parent/infant, parent/child and toddler through middle school. Financial aid is available. 425 Dempster, Evanston, IL 60201 (847) 864-2190 www.chiaravalle.org 6 | Fall 2008 | ChicagoParent.com http://www.stoleckaphotography.com http://www.stoleckaphotography.com http://www.ChicagoParent.com
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