I’ve even considered going up to management and making a fuss, but what can they do? They can’t “police” every pet owner as they leave house. There are signs posted through out complex, they’ve mentioned this area of concern in monthly newsletter, and it’s in apartment rental contract.

If you’re a pet owner who lets your pet “do business” on someone else’s property, think about this: How would you feel if you woke up one morning and stepped on something squishy as you walked to your car? Doesn’t sound bad? What if you looked down to find that squishy mess was actually a pile of dog poop? Would you be angry, irritated, or disgusted? Or would you think it was okay and just walk back in hose to change your shoes?

Now take that stop a step further, what if your little one was playing outside on his/her front lawn and thought that pile of dog poop was mud and put it in his/her mouth? Would you still be okay with someone else letting their pet “do business” on your property?

Final Thought Take time to respect your neighbor today. You just never know when that respect will come back to you ten-fold.

Delivering Goods

Prepare for labor and delivery by compiling a plan for your caregiver sharing your wishes for birth. Discuss your feelings on all types of medical intervention including use of epidural, IV’s, artificial rupture of membranes, fetal monitors, episiotomy, etc. Remember that a birth plan is simply that, a plan. Since no one knows exactly how any given birth will proceed, it is not a guarantee of any kind. While mother’s experience with birth is important, ultimate goal is a healthy baby, whatever it takes to achieve it. A birth plan is simply helpful in communicating type of birth experience you would like to have, and if you have made a wise selection in caregiver, you will have someone who will work with you to honor these wishes to extent they are possible. You may want to hire a doula to assist during labor. A doula’s purpose is to support and be an advocate for mother, and can be helpful in achieving mother’s goals towards birth.

Surviving First Weeks

After nine months of waiting and planning, your baby is finally in arms. What next? Despite that you might feel you’ve gotten away with something when hospital staff actually allows you to leave with your baby (whom you think you have no idea how to care for), remembering a few simple tips can help things go more smoothly.

Feed your baby on demand. Don’t try to schedule feeding sessions, which can be detrimental to establishing a proper milk supply if breastfeeding, and simply isn’t good for baby. Keep a record of wet and soiled diapers for first few weeks to assure baby is taking in enough breast milk or formula.

Hold baby as often as possible. Contrary to popular opinion, he can’t be spoiled.

Always remember to place your baby on his back to sleep and tummy to play, to lower risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).

Call your pediatrician if your baby develops a fever, or if you have any questions or concerns.

Most importantly, remember motherhood is a work in progress and cut yourself some slack. You will make mistakes, learn, grow and change. Both babies and parents are born, and neither reaches their full potential overnight.