Preparing For Baby: Strategies, Tools, and Tips for First Time GrandmothersWritten by Theresa V. Wilson
Preparing for baby is an exciting process that can be as unique as childbirth for first time grandmothers. Once you recover from initial shock that your baby is no longer your baby, it’s time to get mentally and physically prepared to offer proactive support to both mommy and daddy from beginning of pre-birth process until end of new mom’s recuperation phase. It is truly more than preparing for baby showers, opening gifts, and recording cards.It all begins with announcement. From moment you’re told you are about to be a grandparent, nothing is same. My husband and I received our announcement on Christmas Day. Our daughter and son-in-law came to living room of their home to say “the test was positive, congratulations grand mom”. A new life had formed, a child was in wings. The excitement is indescribable. It is one of many times you realize that it is only through power of God that such a miracle would be possible. The months of preplanning begins by encouraging mom to eat and sleep properly, initiate planning baby shower with save date cards, helping to monitor gift registries and coordinating materials that would be useful after baby is born. Even selection of what mom and baby would wear on their first trip home is reminiscent of bridal planning process. There are several issues, however, that are often overlooked during preparation phase. The future Grandmother needs to be proactive about getting ready for level of hands on input and support that will be needed from her before, during, and after birth. Essential elements of grandmother preparation should include one of several things: Watching your diet, taking vitamins, starting an exercise program – you could be “actively” involved in birthing process. I was part of designated support team and, as such, participated in breathing exercises, hand holding and offering gentle conversations my daughter needed while experiencing labor pains. In addition to singing songs, stroking her head with a wet cloth throughout process, I reminded her of scripture verses that she could use as a source of her strength including “I look beyond hills from which cometh my strength. My help comes from Lord who made both heaven and earth”. (Psalm 121:1-2 KJV) Being prepared with a CD player or recorder for playing favorite her favorite music and other inspirational messages can be very helpful in providing comfort at most strenuous moments. The Grandmother’s role is pivotal for both new mom and dad and she must be physically up to challenge even in early hours of day. The best time to get ready physically is before you are needed. A nine month low impact aerobic or regular walking routine will make a world of difference during a 10-20 hour labor.
| | The Sound of His LaughterWritten by Skye Thomas
When you're searching for your Mr. Right, I want you to pay close attention to his laugh. It may seem odd for me to say that, but you can tell a lot about a man by his laugh. Real laughter is uncontrollable. For just a moment something strikes us as funny and sound of laughter pours forth spontaneously and without any real control on our part. It bubbles up and gives away secret part of us that thinks event or situation presented is funny. Laughter can be faked, but that's part of what I want you to analyze when you're listening to his laughter.First of all is his laughter real or fake? You can always tell when someone has one of those completely goofy laughs that nobody in their right mind would choose to have -- those silly sounding laughs that cause everyone else to laugh too. You've also heard those completely fake laughs that sound like a bad actor in a Dudley DoRight play! Most people have fairly normal sounding laughs and they are spontaneous. If guy you're interested in fakes his laugh occasionally to laugh at a small child's attempt to tell a joke, that's okay. But, if he fakes his laugh on a regular basis, I would seriously question his overall ability to present his authentic self to world. You may or may not feel like analyzing why he's faking it, but it's important to note if he's presenting a false joviality to world on a regular basis. Does he laugh easily? I've met a few men who had serious anger and violence issues. They don't laugh easily. Also, guys going through depression and other darker emotions obviously aren't going to laugh as easily as someone who's naturally happy and at peace with his life. The brooding silent type may seem sexy for awhile, but in long run, you're going to want to have some lightness and fun in your life too. It gets to be a real bore to hang out with someone who's always incredibly serious and entertaining darker thoughts. Does he laugh at people or with people? Nobody likes to be made fun of, but this has more to do with what your man finds as funny. Does he find humor in ridiculing others? Does he laugh at others because everyone is incredibly foolish or stupid in his eyes? Is he constantly critiquing people looking for a reason to laugh at them? It doesn't matter how witty or funny his presentation, it's not a good sign if your man takes his personal pleasure in laughing at others. You also don't want someone who constantly makes himself butt of all jokes either. I've always found an underlying self esteem issue when people spend a lot of time making fun of themselves. That's not same as being able to laugh at ones mistakes on occasion. I'm talking about habitually devaluing one's self. Also, is he able to find joy in someone else's jokes? You don't want someone who only laughs at his own jokes and nobody else's.
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