(Giveaway!!!) 4 Words That Mattered the Most: The Best Advice I Received as a Parent

This post brought to you by COUNTRY Financial®. The content and opinions expressed below are that of Stuff Parents Need.

It has been such a thrill to watch my little sister and her husband take on the challenge and experience the joy of becoming parents this year. There were SO many things I wanted to tell Laura about parenting while she was pregnant, but I kept my mouth shut on a number of subjects (which might shock her to hear because I’m sure I seemed like I never stopped dispensing my “wisdom”).

Frankly, there are just some lessons that come along with parenting that you have to live through to understand. People can (and will!) tell you over and over again, for example, how everything is going to change. And they are certainly right. But to really grasp that truth, you just have to experience that change for yourself.

But here’s one thing I can share with anyone out there who is currently expecting their first baby, or who recently became a parent, and that is that you need to get comfortable being uncomfortable.

These 4 words were gifted to me by my doula when I was in labor with my first child, and it was very appropriate for that particular event (there’s an understatement), but it was also true for every day that was to follow now that I was a parent.

Whether it’s something as simple as learning to keep that smile on your face during family photos while your little angel is filling up her diaper and then some (see below…way to keep that holiday spirit shining in the photo, mama!), or something more complex like figuring out what you want to do for school when the time comes, I can promise you that no matter how many parenting books you read, they won’t have every answer for you. You are sometimes simply going to have to wing it, go with your gut, and step out on faith that you are doing your best for your family.

COUNTRY Financial^® is a company that understands just how complicated life seems to get after a little one joins the ranks. They have been serving families through all life stages for 90 years, helping to make life easier in some way, including for new parents. Financially strong and highly rated by independent insurance rating agencies, COUNTRY Financial^® is a group of US insurance and financial services offering a full suite of products that can help you right now, as you start your new family, as well as through the stages to come. They are well-suited to help make you more comfortable with some of those decisions you need to make to help protect your family.

Sweepstakes!

And speaking of being a little more comfortable, how would you like to take a break from all those late-night runs to get more diapers (and a break from the hit your checking account takes every time you need more!)? Right now you have a chance to win a $1,000 gift card from Diapers.com, courtesy of COUNTRY Financial^®.