A New Perspective: Three Months, a First Birthday, and the Realities of Full-Time Parenting

Hello everyone! These past three months have been an incredible journey of being home full-time with my amazing daughter. While it feels like just yesterday I was cradling her as a newborn, we just recently celebrated her first birthday! Every moment with her is precious. She's a bright, happy little girl who, even at one year old, still sleeps through the night (most nights!), doesn't cry very much, learns things really fast, and is just absolutely wonderful.

And now, a new chapter is about to begin. With her first birthday behind us, we're preparing for a big milestone: preschool. In just a few months, she'll be starting this new adventure. The introductory "schooling" period at her preschool is two weeks long, and I know it will be a time of adjustment for both of us.

These past three months have also given me a whole new perspective on what it means to be a full-time parent. It truly is a 24/7 job. You can't take your eyes off a curious one-year-old for more than a few minutes, or you might find them climbing on something they shouldn't or teetering on the edge of the sofa! I can completely understand why some women get frustrated when their partners come home late or don't immediately jump in to help. It's not just about the physical tasks of childcare; it's the "mental load" – the constant anticipating of a child's needs, the planning, the organizing, and the ever-present responsibility for their safety – that can be incredibly draining.

This isn't to say it hasn't been the most rewarding experience of my life. It has, without a doubt. But it's also highlighted the importance of teamwork and open communication in a partnership. It's easy for tension to arise when one partner feels like they're carrying the majority of the childcare responsibilities, and I think it is very important to talk about it.