Oh My!! What Parents Go Through!!!

This article definitely gave us a chuckle!   

We think it applies to all parents, whether a stay at home, work at home, or work outside of the home parent.  Be sure to share it with your partner…it really can put things in perspective and help with communication in our relationships!

Hope it puts a smile on your face today!

Stay-At-Home vs. Working Parents. Questions to help spouses bridge the communication gap.

Sincerely,

From the Stork's Nest~

Liz & Rebecca

Prenatal Care for Dads

The Bump reports that a new study from the University of Missouri finds that expectant fathers need prenatal care and support to help calm their anxieties about becoming a parent.  Stork Support recognizes that pregnancy and the time after baby arrives can be challenging for fathers which is why we offer counseling to dads, too, to help them adjust.

Did your partner seem stressed about your pregnancy? How did you handle it?

http://pregnant.thebump.com/fertility-pregnancy-parenting-news/parenting-news-information/blogs/dads-to-be-need-prenatal-care.aspx?showfull={3F3C401B-A372-4CAA-8BA6-4BEDFD228DF4}

Sincerely,

From The Stork's Nest~

Liz & Rebecca

HAPPY (UNOFFICIAL) SUMMER!

Despite the fact that I am typing this in the 92 degree weather in Philadelphia today, the official start of summer is not until June 21 (what will the temp be then??). The start of the season always reminds me to check the medicine cabinets to throw away old sun screen bottles and take inventory for what is needed as the season of fun in the sun approaches. Check out the American Academy of Pediatrics’ summer sun and safety recommendations for their helpful suggestions:

http://www.aap.org/advocacy/releases/summertips.cfm

Does your family have any summertime traditions or tips you’d like to share? Post them here!

Happy (Unofficial) Summer, everyone!
Sincerely,
From the Stork’s Nest ~
Liz
http://www.storksupport.com

A Beautiful Sentiment From Grandpapa

When My Daughter Was Pregnant

Close To The End

When my daughter was pregnant, I called every day,

Even though there was little to say;

Well it got worse near the end

And I didn’t really want to offend;

But this was my baby too

And I was feeling I needed something to do;

So I called twice, okay maybe some days it was three,

Just to find out and try to see..

“So, how are you feeling?” “Same” she would say,

And that’s how it went most every day;

“I’ll call you,” said she, “soon as I know”,

Hoping I’d take the hint and quietly go;

But I called back again and again and again,

Grandpapas are like that close to the end.

Sincerely, 

From The Guest's Stork Nest~

Grandpapa

WANNA HEAR A SECRET?

Most pregnant couples and parents to new babies do their research, and all are bound to be online searching for hours for all they need to know about becoming a new parent!
 
There are so many websites to choose from when trying to find the information to the questions that we all have when facing this transition in our lives of adding a new family member. It is so nice when you hear of a local website where you can get some much needed information all in one place, and an extra plus when it is easy to navigate!

We wanted to share with all our blog-readers this amazing website that we use, Philly Parent Circle. These folks really seem to understand how important it is to search and find exactly what you are looking for and quickly! Who has time to sit and search and search and search when you have a crying baby in your arms?!

Here is a message from Philly Parent Circle to our Stork Support friends (and don’t miss the FREE membership offer at the bottom of the message!):

We invite you to join www.phillyparentcircle.com, Philadelphia's newest and most comprehensive resource guide and community for parents, parents-to-be and caregivers. Browse the over 1000 listings, complete with ratings and reviews, across preschools, camps, activities, classes, new baby resources, birthday parties and/ or search for exactly what you are looking for by activity type, location, age, and cost. Make sure you visit the discussion forums to find nannies, play-groups, advice, support and general good fun! Plus don't miss our monthly free ticket giveaways to the best events and attractions in Philly. Join www.phillyparentcircle.com for free with code PPCSTORK. Sign up soon as this code expires 6/5/11.

Take a minute and check it out! It really is a website to bookmark as one of your favorites!

Sincerely,
From the Stork’s Nest~
Liz & Rebecca

RECOMMENDED READING ALERT!

BOOK REVIEW
Of
Behind the Smile: My Journey Out of 

Postpartum Depression
by Marie Osmond 

In Behind the Smile: My Journey Out of Postpartum Depression, Marie Osmond bravely tells of the deep depression she experienced following the birth of her youngest son. A mother of seven and an entertainer practically from the cradle, Marie shares the pressure she felt throughout her life to be “perfect” and describes how this pressure seeped into her role as mother. Marie’s honest description paints a vivid picture that leaves her readers with a detailed understanding of how she was feeling and what she was experiencing. After a particularly difficult day and then talking to her mother about how she is feeling, Marie finds the strength to reach out to a therapist for help and finds support beyond what she expected.

Marie’s powerful words remind us of the importance of asking for help when it is needed. Marie struggled for weeks in silence rather than sharing with anyone how she was feeling – exactly what we would not want a woman to do. Although experts cannot determine exactly what causes Postpartum Depression, we do know it is treatable so no one needs to suffer in silence. Classic symptoms of Postpartum Depression include feeling excessively overwhelmed, excessive tearfulness or anxiety, inability to sleep, irritability, lack of appetite, lack of interest in the baby, and disturbing thoughts. If you or someone you know may be showing signs of a perinatal mood disorder such as Postpartum Depression, be sure to speak with a professional to get additional support. Utilizing a home-based service like Stork Support can be an excellent option. Whichever provider you choose, however, be sure that the assessment, counseling and support are provided by an experienced professional with whom you feel comfortable.

Marie’s bravery in sharing her experience reminds us that no one is perfect and no one expects mothers to have all the answers. Ask for help, the answer you receive and the support you feel may surprise you.

Sincerely,
From The Stork’s Nest ~
Liz & Rebecca

PARENTING IS NO CUP OF COFFEE

It is spring (albeit rainy and dreary here in the Northeast) but that means it is yard sale season. If any of you are like me, I LOVE “yarding” and finding those great buys on kids toys and clothes. On Friday evening I informed my husband that I was going to go “yarding” in the morning, and he was on his own for breakfast with the kids. I get up daily around 6:00 a. m. with my youngest, and do the tasks of getting everyone dressed, fed, and their teeth and hair brushed. It was a treat to leave the kids in my husband’s very capable hands, go to Wawa and get myself a coffee to enjoy while driving around looking for great yard sales.

I got out and spent about two hours shopping and around 10:00, I called my sister who had just rolled out of bed and asked if she wanted to join me, which she did.

We were happily shopping and came upon a friend’s house that was having her own yard sale. She commented that is was so nice that we (my sister and I) go “yarding” together! I promptly told her that it is a rare occurrence, as my sister is the mom to two teenagers and has no need, nor desire, to get up on a Saturday morning at the crack of dawn to root through other people’s stuff. I, on the other hand, was more than thrilled to be out with my Wawa coffee, without children!

It got me thinking about how easy my sister had it now. I know she had been in the stage I am now when her children were younger, but I was still a bit envious that she can sleep in, go to Wawa whenever she wants to get her own coffee, not worry about being home in time for that all important nap, and everything else parents to young children face.

I brought up my thoughts to my dear sister, who pretty much laughed at me. She explained that the stage of parenting that I am in is easier than hers. I have all my children with me pretty much all the time, and I am shaping and molding my children to be what I think is their best. She needs to be secure in how she completed this task and hope her children make decisions that will not negatively impact their future. She needs to handle the teenage temper tantrums, “and they involve WORDS”, unlike toddler temper tantrums that are pretty much screaming and flailing.

I thought again about my sister, and my envy that she doesn’t have to get up early, dress, brush teeth and hair for her teenagers. What she DOES have to do is worry about whose car they are in, stay up and wait for them to come home on a Friday night, keep them on track with schoolwork, and support them when they have arguments with their best friends.

Seems that this parenting thing doesn’t get any easier, it just gets to be a different kind of difficult. Mothers of young children have a physically demanding job, and mothers of teenagers have an emotionally demanding job; everything in between and after can be a combination of both! I am pretty sure that the worry parents have about their children never ceases, no matter what the stage. I know, from comments that are made, that my parents STILL worry about me, a married woman and mother of three!

What I have come to know is our own experiences on parenting based on the age or stage of our children is real and true. Talking with others can put our own thoughts and feelings into perspective, and the comfort in knowing that experiences and degrees of difficulties do change, but are manageable.

It is so very important it is to have the support of family and friends throughout each stage of parenting. No matter the age of your children, talk with other parents, your own parents, or a professional to get the support that all of us parents need.

Sincerely,
From the Stork’s Nest ~
Rebecca