Why being a new parent is like falling in love

My three year old came back from daycare announcing to me, as if I knew nothing, that Valentine’s day is all about love and friendship. Looking at her all exited, got me thinking on how love changes us in the ways we never would have suspect before. I started to think about my relationship with my husband and about my two little girls.

And then it hit me, what an annoying person I must have been! On top of it more than once! I was thinking about the days when I was a new parent and I suddenly realized how similar I behaved to when I was freshly in love. And then I looked around at some of my friends who recently had their first child, and I noticed that we are all the same 😉

Really, when you think about it, it makes sense: being in love and having a child for the first time, are a life changing, intense experiences, that may and often do overwhelm. That’s why I think that new parents are a lot like people who fall in love! Actually, as a new parent you too fall in love, but this time, it’s your baby :).

1.Freshly in love: Conversational topic number one : your new loved object. You just can’t help it, every conversation turns out to be about your new loved one. Even talking with your friend about her dead cat, can be a great opportunity to add that your boyfriend loves cats! Actually, every subject is good to talk about your loved one!

New parent: Conversational topic number one :your child.
You just can’t help it, every conversation turns out to be about your child. People who don’t have kids will hear all about your baby poop: how big it was, what colour it had and how many times a day it happened, and people who do have kids will learn witch diaper cream they should be using now, because it’s absolutely the best for your baby’s persistent diaper rash!

2. Freshly in love: You think that there is no one else in the whole world like your loved one.
Everything he (she) says and does is extraordinary and amazing. And one of a kind. And breathtaking. If he (she) cooked scrambled eggs for you this morning, it only proves what an amazing cook he is! And you’ll tell that to everyone you’ll meet. Yes even to your single and depressed coworker, because why not?

New Parent: You think that there is no other child in the whole wide world like your child.
Anything that your child does and mumbles is exceptional. Your baby says :da da! and screams when sees bananas: how extraordinary! Let’s share that with everyone! She grabs for her leaky cup at 8 months when thirsty: it must be a genius!

3. Freshly in love: Dinner time is a special moment of connection, for which you carefully prepare.
You cook the finest meal, light candles and pour vine. You take a shower just before, and change in to some sexy garments. You turn on the music and you turn down the lights. It’s romantic even if it’s Tuesday.

New parent: Dinner time is very important for your child’s growth and you carefully prepare only fresh and organic whole food!
Your baby plate include all 4 food groups: there is a plate of organic cereals, hand made organic veggie and meet pure, and a piece of organic fruit.And milk. And every meal is like that. You spent all your free time preparing organic purees, and you’re proud if it!

4. Freshly in love: Preparing to sleep is a ritual on it’s own.
You take another long shower, you dress up in delightful lingerie, light another scent candle,and set up romantic music. Then talk for hours about your life, dreams and desires before finely going to sleep.

New parent: Preparing to sleep is a very rigid and extremely important for your baby’s sleep habits ritual.
You start by bath with essential oils, then you change your baby while using baby signs to communicate that it’s soon time for sleep. You read two educational stories, than you feed your baby with milk, and you place your baby in their crib while singing a comforting lullaby. Then you light a night lamp, which is also playing classical music. You finally turn off the light and leave the room. You may be back to soothe your baby, but only after exactly 15 minutes.

5.Freshly in love: You get easily anxious worrying that you could lose your love.
Sometimes the littlest thinks keep you awake at night wandering if you’ll stay together for ever and always and if it’s the right time to say I love you or not. You doubt and then you believe again. You get anxious imagining other people seducing your loved one. You feel like living on a deserted island would be a good thing for your relationship!

New parent: You get easily anxious and worried about your baby.
Is your child developing like it should? Is that rash a sign of a deadly sickness? Is it a good time to introduce apples or not? And why is your baby not sitting yet? You get very anxious imaging the terrible things that could happen to your child. You’d like to keep your child at home until it turns 30!

Well, yes, we’ve all been there.. 😉 or maybe it’s just me and my friends?
Did you ever got slightly obsessive about someone you loved ?