I was trying to think of an original way to do a post on my blog linking to the best parenting forums I've found, and this was what I came up with.

What do you wish people had told you about pregnancy, childbirth, newborns, children, ect? I'm sure we've all had those moments when you're standing there thinking "well, if it happens to so many people, why did I never hear about it?"

I'm going to take people's answers and post them in my blog with a link back to here. If you'd rather be listed as "anonymous" instead of your screen name, let me know in your answer.

As funny as it sounds, nobody ever mentioned to us not to give our first child peanut butter for the first couple of years. When she was born doctors suggested not giving babies peanut butter until age 3. I think that recommendation has gone down since then. It wasn't until after she was approximately 18 months old when someone said to me and my wife about the recommended age. People acted like this was a very well known thing but for us as first time parents we had never heard of such a thing. :) Thankfully she never had a peanut allergy so we were good either way.

Good point Mark.

I wasn't told before 3 either so don't feel bad. I learned it along the way though. Nichole was eating PB at around 18 months as well.


No one ever told me your hair falls out after birth, right around 3 months is the average.
No one told me that having a natural birth was not that bad. Its a lot less painful then a pitocin birth with an epidural for sure!

I was told a lot of things but didn't really "get it" until becoming a parent myself. I remember having light bulb moments when I realized, "So THIS is what so-and-so meant when she said (Insert parenting advice/warnings here)! She wasn't kidding!"

I was told a lot of things but didn't really "get it" until becoming a parent myself. I remember having light bulb moments when I realized, "So THIS is what so-and-so meant when she said (Insert parenting advice/warnings here)! She wasn't kidding!"


So which as been easier Trina, boy or girl. :)

So which as been easier Trina, boy or girl. :)

Well, in our case I'd have to say boy. That said, I don't think it's gender related, but more from differences in temperament and personality.

My mom said boys were easier too.

I was told a lot of things but didn't really "get it" until becoming a parent myself. I remember having light bulb moments when I realized, "So THIS is what so-and-so meant when she said (Insert parenting advice/warnings here)! She wasn't kidding!"

I've had so many moments like that, it's insane.

Eventhough Steven was a surprise, I've been waiting my whole life to have kids. Everyone keeps telling me what a huge shock having a child can be and how your whole world changes... but really, it's like my life is suddenly complete. I never really experienced the "baby shock" that some people tell me about.

However, I was counting on my 6 years of experience working with kids and thought that I knew just about everything. Of course, not many parents put their kids in my care before about 6 months... so I thought I knew what to do with a newborn, but I hadn't had any real practice. I've definitely had a few surprises, and some of them I was warned about but didn't really listen to.

As for the peanutbutter thing... I knew they weren't supposed to have it before a certain age, but I don't know what the certain age is. Really, though, if Steven is alergic to peanuts I think we'd know by now. He may not be eating yet, but we eat peanutbutter all the time, and I'm sure he's come in contact with it already.

I know what you mean. Before kids I baby-sat often and taught for 10 yrs. (preschool, Kindergarten, Gr. 3). I had a pretty good idea of what was involved but it's so much MORE than I was expecting. LOL!


As for nut allergies: You wouldn't necessarily know by now if Steven is allergic to peanuts. BOTH my kids have severe nut allergies and we had no clue until they were older. My DS had his first anaphylactic reaction at 3.5 when he ate his very first pistachio nut. My DD started mysteriously breaking out with hives at age 5. Due to DS's history, our ped. recommended testing and she tested positive for both peanut and tree nut allergies. ALSO, allergies can develop at any time for no apparent reason. Meaning just because a child isn't allergic to nuts now doesn't mean he/she never will be. Allergies can also worsen over time. There may be a small reaction the first few times, but the reaction can potentially become life threatening with more exposure. More info at The Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network (http://www.foodallergy.org).

In the wise Lyrics from Coldplay

"Nobody said it was easy
No one ever said that it would be this hard"

Lol, congratulations, you just got that song stuck in my head!

I've got one for my own thread... no one told me my baby could randomly start choking on his own saliva. In fact, I remember a nurse telling me it was impossible. He choked and stopped breathing for a second just now - propped him up since he seems to be fine sitting, but I'm too spooked to sleep now.

that nurse lied to you! Glad he is ok though