Amidst the hustle and bustle of having a new baby, new mothers often struggle to find time for themselves, let alone time to go out during the day. This is a common issue that many parents face after having a child but fret not, for there are solutions to this ubiquitous problem. In today’s article, we have a look at how new parents can embark on resuming their social activities after the birth of their child. Read on to find out more!
1. Bring Baby Along
One of the easiest ways to juggle a social life and taking care of your newborn is to bring your baby along with you. Whilst there are restrictions to where you can and cannot go, you can find strolls for the walk or baby car seats if you are driving a car. Starting off by going for walks in the park or to your local mall with your little one is a great stepping stone. Why not set up a brunch or lunch appointment with your friends? Not only will you be able to get out of the house for some much needed fresh air, but you’ll also be able to introduce your little one to your friends and family at the same time.
2. Accept That Your Social Life Will Change
Obviously, your social life is no longer going to be exactly the same as it was before now that you are a parent. It is important that new parents accept this fact and embrace it instead of feeling upset over it. At the same time, it is important that you still take the time necessary to get out and socialise with friends and family. We all know that one person who has a baby and then basically disappears off the face of this earth. In order to find the right balance, it is important that you surround yourself with people that understand your life changes and people who are happy to adjust to your new social needs. Accept that some people in your life may have to take a backseat due to differences in lifestyles and schedules instead of resenting the fact that you can’t attend social events that no longer fit your lifestyle.
3. Prioritize Date Night
It is no secret that parents tend to neglect their own needs when a baby is introduced to the home. Instead of going out on romantic dinner dates with your significant other, time is spent fretting over taking care of your child and meeting all their needs. Whilst it is important to pay attention to your baby’s needs, it is equally important to pay attention to your own needs. Instead of letting the passion between you and your partner die, we highly recommend prioritizing date night. Take one day of the week off, and hire a babysitter or get a trusted family member or friend to take care of your little one. Allow yourself to distress and have fun with one another for one night, completely worry-free. This will not only ease your stresses but also ensure that you and your partner are connecting with each other the way you used to prior to becoming parents.
4. You’ll Need “Mom Friends”
One of the things we highly recommend to new parents is to make friends with other moms and dads. Not only will this mean that your little one will have friends to play with, but you’ll be able to socialise with people who understand what you are going through. You will also have similar schedules, hobbies and interests which can help you return to socialising a lot easier. Having “mom friends” shouldn’t be something that anyone is ashamed of. In fact, it is something that you should be proud of. Surrounding yourself in a healthy company and engaging in activities and outings with people who are at the same stage of life as you can be a truly rewarding experience as you will be able to bond, share problems and have discussions about any challenges you may be facing.
5. Get Back In Touch With Your Creativity
Did you once enjoy painting classes or pottery classes before the baby arrived? Perhaps you enjoyed going to brunch alone on a Sunday morning to read your favourite magazine and tuck into some amazing food. When learning to get out and about again after having a child, it is important that you get back in touch with your creativity, passions and favourite pastimes. Just because you have a child doesn’t mean you have to give up your favourite activities or hobbies. In fact, it becomes that much more important that you allocate time for personal activities once you have a baby. Failing to do so can cause burn out and can cause you to feel depressed or even left out. Hire a babysitter, ask a friend or family member to help out for the day and let go and enjoy yourself. If anyone deserves it, it’s you!
6. Acknowledge Your Fears
Last but not least, it is important that you acknowledge the fears you may have about re-entering the social circle postpartum. When something is brand new to us, we tend to believe that we can’t do it before we even try. A great deal of stress and anxiety may surround the idea of socializing and going out again, and we don’t blame you. However, it is important that you acknowledge your fears. Are you feeling guilty for enjoying yourself whilst your baby is at home? Are you worried that friends may no longer want to hang out with you? Acknowledging these fears and understanding that they are nothing more than nagging thoughts is key in venturing back out after having a child.
Re-entering the social scene after having a baby can be an incredibly stressful and anxious experience for many new parents. However, we urge you to face your fears and get back out there. Relaxing, socializing and meeting up with people can be an incredibly positive influence on your new lifestyle. We hope that this article has given you some insight into how you can start going out again after having a child. All the best!
