So you are getting ready for your little ones arrival and are so excited to create your baby registry for all the fun things (and some necessities) that go with having a baby. That is, until you get to the store and are completely overwhelmed by the registry process! Here are some tips to help you through the mess!
1. Check other people's online registries - Go ahead, type in a generic last name into the registry search and see what other people have registered for. You may find things that you are completely missing! Look for baby registries where the baby has not been born yet as many people change their registries after the baby is born and eliminate items they already have.
2. Ask other moms what they found to be "must haves"- Other moms already went through it and can tell you what worked for them and what didn’t. This doesn't mean you need to register for everything they loved, but it will get your mind thinking!
3. Do not register for blankets- Unless there is a blanket you absolutely MUST have, do not register for cute blankets. People love to give baby blankets (without receipts) and you will end up with so many you won't know what to do with them. Of course, this does not apply to things like basic receiving blankets.
4. Do not register for large packs of bottles- Every baby is different and yours may not like the bottles in that family pack you registered for…now that they have been opened and used, you cannot return them! Register for small packages of 1 or 3 bottles.
5. Limit the amount of small toys and rattles you register for - These are another item that people love to just throw in with the gift, and you will end up with a lot of them!
6. Keep the gift receipts for EVERYTHING- Tape the gift receipts to everything, and resist the temptation to take everything out of the package. Wait until after your baby is born to open packages of non-essentials since you may want to return them. We did this and were so happy that we did. We ended up returning a lot after the baby was born!
7. Use the registry guide you get at the store as "suggestions" - Stores want to make money off of you so often you do not need as many of the items they suggest you need. When in doubt ask another mom!
8. Register for items that fit into a variety of price ranges - Many people cannot afford or will not want to pay for only larger priced items. That set of 4 burp rags with the adorable designs may look really cute, but for $30 it may be the only gift you get from someone. Perhaps a better option is to get the cloth diapers and use them as burp rags. Half the price for twice the rags, and a single person could afford to buy you more essentials.
9. Register for items you will need down the road - If you only register for newborn items, you may find yourself without the items you need within a few months of the birth. Clothing for past 0-3 months is a good option. Everyone likes to buy the small baby clothes so chances are you will get quite a bit of newborn or 0-3 month clothing as gifts when the baby arrives.
10. Stay gender neutral with bigger items - That is, unless you only want one child. Most people only have 1 baby shower. If you register for everything in pink, and you have a boy next, you may need to repurchase all of those big items so your little boy does not have to sleep in a pink crib or travel in a pink car seat.
Registering for a baby can be overwhelming, so don’t feel obligated to do it all at once. Take advantage of the online registries so you can alter your registry as you change your mind or decide on bigger items. Feel free to post comments with your own registry tips! The more the merrier!
Showing posts with label tips. Show all posts
Showing posts with label tips. Show all posts
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Friday, November 13, 2009
My Mother-In-Law is Driving Me Nuts!
We all have those days when we want to scream this from the top of a mountain. I am sure we have all said this a few times...or more. Maybe it isn't your mother-in-law, maybe you want to scream that your mom, aunt, sister, or friend is driving you crazy. Today we are going to focus on in-laws...mother-in-laws specifically. Our in-laws as well as others sometimes get too involved too in our parenting or have too much input and it can drive you nuts! Often it is the mother-in-law that really drives you crazy. I think this stems from the relationship with a mother-in-law. You just aren't as comfortable or as close as you are to your own mother. You can't just tell them to stop intruding without hurting their feelings. This seems to be much easier with your own mother. But really, letting them get to you can make you feel like less of a parent or a bad parent. You should not feel like either. You are the best person to parent your own child.
There is nothing that makes you feel less like a good parent than having your mother or mother in law critique your parenting. Not to mention it drives you nuts and can put a major strain on your relationship.
We have all been there…"Are you going to put her in THAT?", "It is too cold for her", "are you sure you want to do it that way?". We have all heard it at one time or another, and this is one of my biggest pet peeves. Moms are always going to be moms, and they feel like they can step in at any time with their input. It may not even be your mom or mother-in-law. It turns out that when you are trying to get pregnant, are pregnant, or have a baby, everyone has input and opinions.
Here are some ways to handle the dreaded opinions and inputs.
1. Listen to what they say, but do what you want. Hear the person out, but it doesn't mean you need to do it. Sometimes getting defensive causes more problems or refuting what they have to say causes conflict and sometimes additional stress that you don't need.
2. Tell them that you appreciate their advice, but that you have your own ideas about how you would like to do things. Mothers and Mother-in-Laws need to respect that you need to experience your life the way you want to.
Sometimes these things don't work, or you are so offended that you snap. Try to breathe and think before you speak. There are many times that if I said what I was actually thinking, I would have hurt my relationship with my Mother-in-law or the person giving me advice. I am one to listen to what they say but do what I want. I allow them to chatter all they want and then do as I please. After all, a mother knows what is best for her own child. Remember to trust your instincts and your feelings, and try to ignore those nagging comments that cause stress in your life.
There is nothing that makes you feel less like a good parent than having your mother or mother in law critique your parenting. Not to mention it drives you nuts and can put a major strain on your relationship.
We have all been there…"Are you going to put her in THAT?", "It is too cold for her", "are you sure you want to do it that way?". We have all heard it at one time or another, and this is one of my biggest pet peeves. Moms are always going to be moms, and they feel like they can step in at any time with their input. It may not even be your mom or mother-in-law. It turns out that when you are trying to get pregnant, are pregnant, or have a baby, everyone has input and opinions.
Here are some ways to handle the dreaded opinions and inputs.
1. Listen to what they say, but do what you want. Hear the person out, but it doesn't mean you need to do it. Sometimes getting defensive causes more problems or refuting what they have to say causes conflict and sometimes additional stress that you don't need.
2. Tell them that you appreciate their advice, but that you have your own ideas about how you would like to do things. Mothers and Mother-in-Laws need to respect that you need to experience your life the way you want to.
Sometimes these things don't work, or you are so offended that you snap. Try to breathe and think before you speak. There are many times that if I said what I was actually thinking, I would have hurt my relationship with my Mother-in-law or the person giving me advice. I am one to listen to what they say but do what I want. I allow them to chatter all they want and then do as I please. After all, a mother knows what is best for her own child. Remember to trust your instincts and your feelings, and try to ignore those nagging comments that cause stress in your life.
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