There are a few things to know before you go to meet your newborn.
Remember the story of how a young mother was persecuted for making rules for guests on how to behave with a baby? She did not ask for anything supernatural: to wash your hands before touching the baby, not to climb with kisses – maximum to the top of the head. But the network dwellers’ reaction was brutal. “You probably don’t have too many guests. And friends, ”was the most tactful comment. And recently, a whole set of rules of etiquette has appeared for those whose friends or relatives have become parents. Also nothing supernatural, but these rules are often violated.
1. Be patient
It is possible, even quite likely, that you will have to listen to a full and detailed account of how the birth took place. The worst thing here is not even a young mother, but a happy father, if suddenly he dared to be present at the birth of a baby. He will definitely not be stopped. This is the delight of the neophyte: it is imperative to share your experience with the whole world. There is nothing you can do about it, you just need to be patient and listen to all this flow of emotions. It is advisable not to ask additional questions, otherwise you risk staying until the morning, buried under a heap of details about what and how was revealed, appeared and left.
2. Don’t comment on your mom’s appearance
“You probably don’t get enough sleep”, “It’s hard with a small child, right?” – at first glance, these remarks are full of sympathy. But in fact, they have a rather offensive meaning wrapped in them: “You look bad.” It would be naive to expect that a young mother will look like Kate Middleton leaving the hospital. If she had the same arsenal of assistants, make-up masseurs – then yes. But most of us have to rely only on ourselves. And the tact of friends.
3. No photos
Without permission, for sure. And even if mom doesn’t mind you taking a photo of her with her baby, then you definitely shouldn’t post it on social networks. Parents may have their own views on these things – many prefer not to post photos of the child at all until he learns to do it himself.
“Let the young parents post the first photo of their child themselves. This is a key moment in modern parenting, do not deprive them of this happiness, ”advises ethics expert William Hanson.
Well, the second point – it is likely that mom will not want to appear on social networks in such a casual look.
4. Look, but don’t touch
For young parents, holding their child in their arms is the highest happiness. They often yearn to share this happiness. If your maternal instinct is still like a wrench, do not step over yourself – politely refuse. If you suspect that your parents will be offended, come up with some kind of arthritis. Or simply excessive nervousness: “I’m afraid to drop” always sounds scary.
Conversely, if Mom and Dad are not eager to hand you a sniffing package, do not insist. Even if you really want to. This is very bad form.
5. Don’t giggle at the name.
We all have friends who decide to name the child something out of the ordinary. And it’s good if it’s Albert or Aksinya, and not Adolf or Gretchen. But reacting to both Robert and Ivan is better the same: with a wide smile. The maximum that you can afford is: “Probably, it took a long time to choose?” And explain the intense giggle with excitement and joy for the young parents.
6. Happiness to be a godfather
On the one hand, it is a great honor to become a godfather for a child. On the other hand, it is a great responsibility. If you feel that you are not ready for it, it is better to say so honestly. Don’t be afraid to offend your parents. Painfully serious question.
“Say that you are not a believer or that you are planning to move to Australia, think of something. But inform about your decision by all means personally, not by phone or by e-mail “, – .
7. Do not unsubscribe on social networks
Many parents-to-be assure themselves and others that they will never and never turn their social media pages into mother’s diaries. Or a father. These promises are often forgotten faster than the baby arrives home from the hospital. If you have already started to post photos of the child, they cannot be stopped. Sometimes you even want to unsubscribe from the page so as not to see the baby in all details all day. Don’t, don’t chop off the shoulder. It will pass – everything will pass.