1st day ALONE with my 3 week old...I can do this...Right?

[jfulcer]

Originally posted by AirForceRocks
And that's my point - I *personally* think it's incredibly selfish of a woman to stay home all day and then expect her husband to clean the house when he gets home because she's been "busy" holding a baby all day. If it works for you great, I just wouldn't dream of it myself.

Selfish? I hope not. Needing help to get it all done? For sure.

I'm not saying that the husband has to do all the work, or the wife should have done it all during the day. I'm saying that it's a division of duties, and the husband should just do whatever needs to be done that did not get done, no matter what the reason when it comes to the baby.

 

[Lucky4me]

My ex didn't do anything for me or our babies when our first 3 kids were born. I was up cleaning and grocery shopping the day after coming home from the hospital. Notice I said EX.

My DH stayed home from work for 21 days after our dd was born. All I had to do was nurse her. He was right there to do anything I needed. He got up with her in the middle of the night so I could sleep, every night. He made me feel like the Queen of Sheba. He did it ALL and continued to do it all after he went to work. I don't think I did a single chore until she was 3 months old. I don't need to wonder why I have so many fond memories of her first 6 months of life but hardly any of the first three.


I think my DH is an exception because I have never met another man who is as quite involved in their childs life as he was and is. It was almost like HE gave birth to her. At 8, she and DH have the best relationship. They are two peas in a pod.

 

[Boots]

Sounds like you have been given excellent advice. My "baby" turns 24 Sunday and is getting married in August. DD just found out she is pregnant. Guess who is going to get to take care of the baby while she and her DH work? I am sure that you will do wonderful. My children loved one of those wind up swings that you can get. We even propped them up when they were little so they could swing. I managed to get quite a bit done while they were swinging or in one of those little prop up seat things. Also my DH was wonderful with helping out! But just hold him and love him because he soon will be growing up on you! Bunches of HUGS to you!

 

[Shannon G]

They have mirrors you can put up so you can see babies face in the carseat

Just one warning here - when we went through our childbirth class, we had a session on child safety - car seats, etc. The car seat inspector said that "extra" items like these mirrors & such should not be used, because in the event of an accident, they can come off and then become a projectile that could actually injure the baby. She also told us that none of these "extra" items (like mirrors, window shades, those separate seat belt tighteners (rachet-type devices to get the seat belt fasten tighter around the car seat base) are subject to any safety standards or tests.

I know it's hard to drive and not be able to see your baby (mine's 10 months, so she still faces backwards in her car seat) but decided to forgo the mirror. I just thought I'd pass this along, because without the classs, it never would have even occured to me that this could be a danger.

 

[Pete's Mom]

Originally posted by AirForceRocks
And that's my point - I *personally* think it's incredibly selfish of a woman to stay home all day and then expect her husband to clean the house when he gets home because she's been "busy" holding a baby all day. If it works for you great, I just wouldn't dream of it myself.

Jeez, all if had to do was "hold" the baby all day. Why didn't somebody tell me that? You mean, I could have gotten one of those gerbil feeder bottles and snapped it right on his crib?!

I was alone with Pete from day one and then I went back to work after 4 weeks maternity leave. Wanna' guess which one wore me out more?

I love you jfulcer! I know you have a wife already, but is there any chance of us moving to Utah and getting married?

Back to Danica! Sleep sleep sleep when you can! Housework can wait. Take care of yourself because you are no help to the baby if you are worn down and tired. Oh, and don't forget to eat. I lived off a can of squirt cheese and Triscuits on my coffee table for the first two weeks!

 

[jfulcer]

Originally posted by Pete's Mom

I love you jfulcer! I know you have a wife already, but is there any chance of us moving to Utah and getting married?

I don't think she's willing to share on this. I do think I should have a 'boot camp' for dads though - sorta a one day 'be a better dad' type thing.

A list of requirements to complete the class:

• You must be able to change and 'explosion poopy' diaper with a squirmy child
• You must be able to rock the baby back to sleep after feeding it the 12:00 bottle, the 3 oclock bottle...
• You must be able to recognize your wife needs help before she needs it
• learn how to cook Macaroni and Cheese
• learn how to load the dishwasher after cooking macaroni and cheese
• Learn how to nod and say 'whatever you like dear' when you're pushing the stroller around the infant department at the clothes store

I know I can think of more.