You must be wondering why I have a separate page for you?  The answer is quite simple - I care and I was there not so long ago myself.  Your life is about to change in the most incredibly, awe inspiring and sometimes terrifying way.  You will be astounded with how much you can love another person.  The love for a child is truly unparalleled.

Having a baby opens up a whole new world of experiences from nappy-changing ninja moves to multi-tasking at a phenomenal level!  One of the things I have most enjoyed about being a Mum is the new community that opened up to me.  A community of parents with a wealth of experience, a lot of information and an understanding ear.  I have loved the new play experiences that we have been involved in whether, it is watching my children grow friendships at their playgroup or seeing the looks in their faces the first time we went to a farm park!  I'm still not completely comfortable with crawling into some of the playgrounds to be lead down the slide by my son but that is more to do with my own inability to contort like a toddler!  The knowing smiles I receive from the other parents reminds me I am not the only one that regularly risks getting stuck in a plastic tunnel!

So here are my top tips (among the many I am sure you are receiving at this exciting time!) for making the most of the parenting community:

• Try to get out and about to activities you think you might like to do before baby arrives.  It is much easier to do on your own and you can suss out the lay of the land without having to worry about lugging a bus load of baby gear around.  Jaime's Guarantee:  You will be welcomed with open arms and will meet some great parents and kiddies.  If not it wasn't for you.
  
• Once baby arrives get out and about to some activities such as new parents coffee groups,  play groups or another activity that you liked when you were pregnant.  It is very easy to focus totally on your beautiful baby but try to make some time for some adult things like conversation and coffee!  Jaime's Guarantee:  There will be any number of parents who would love to talk to you and hold your baby.  The time out, and adult conversation will make the world of difference to you.
  
• Talk to other parents about what you, baby and your family unit are experiencing.  Jaime's Guarantee: You will find out that whatever you are experiencing has been experienced by at least one other parent there.   You may well get some ideas for different techniques to try but you will definitely realise that what you are feeling and experiencing is NORMAL.  Community and normality are what this website is all about.

I was sent this link to a really interesting and, from what I can tell, quote balanced article about baby sleep.  Definitely worth a read!  Read more....