I’ve never described myself as a worry wart…and then I became a mom and everything changed. It started the moment I heard that first scream, or was it delayed slightly and that was my initial worry? Eventually it became nonstop. Is she gaining or losing weight? When can I expect her first word? When should I introduce that first food?  

I don’t remember my mother being this concerned so what happened to me?! After sitting in far too many playgroups comparing notes with other moms and dads, I learned that the books I was reading, online chatter I was hearing and discussions on milestones were causing me to be distracted and stressed. Lost were the moments that I should have been cherishing and this reality made me truly sad.

I committed to find ways to enjoy the milestones and moments while staying acutely tuned in to my mother’s instinct. Surely I didn’t toss the safety messages in the garbage can with all the opinion pieces, but I did replace those worry wart feelings with ways to capture the memories and enjoy the smiles, giggles and even the moments of temporary disorder. 

• Pictures are worth a thousand words. Capture the little moments that make for great big memories. Use the Facebook timeline to document a photo a day and easily upload it from your mobile phone.
• Use an ordinary calendar as a journal for your parenting journey. Log one memory or moment on each day on your calendar. Keep it simple and part of your evening routine to give yourself time for reflection as part of your hectic day.
• Start a memory jar using an ordinary Mason jar. Keep post it notes and pencils beside the jar. Jot memories, note moments and keep ticket stubs in your memory jar.
• Commit to five minutes every day to pause and enjoy the moments. Think about each of your senses and remember the feel of baby’s grasp on your finger, the smell of her hair, the sounds of her cry as they are grow and change, the beauty in the mess on the highchair etc.

Take the pressure off yourself and remember that as your baby grows, so are you as a parent. Learn as your baby learns. And most importantly, forgive yourself.