Communication Between Partners

  Having communication is the key in having a solid foundation to raise your baby. It is not always easy to keep the communication open between each other but that is all a part of being human. The more you communicate the happier you will be.

  People have differences and their own opinions, it is not always easy to find common ground when you are in a relationship where a baby is also in the mix. In my own experience I have found it difficult at times to find common ground with my girlfriend when it comes to how we raise our daughter, this comes from the fact that we are two different people and we were raised two different ways. The way you were raised really does have a HUGE impact on the way you would like your own child to be raised, and not only does the way you were raised have this impact, but your life experiences have a part in it as well.

  Each and everyone of us have all been through some sort of situation in our life that has had a big impact on our lives. I never really had an opportunity to establish a relationship with my biological father due to his own actions, but I was blessed by having a step dad there to raise me. He is my dad. My real dad. But this had an impact on me and I find myself striving to be the best dad I can be to my daughter and the best partner to my girlfriend.

  Compromising and finding a middle ground with your partner can really be helpful in raising your child. It will be hard to do this and even to this day in my relationship I still find it hard to compromise with her. The best thing to do is to choose your battles. Your baby watches every little thing you do and babies are like sponges they soak up everything around them. If I am always arguing with my girlfriend my daughter will see this and will eventually start arguing with us.

  Keep communication open, if you feel the urge to argue sit back and remember to choose your battles. If you disagree with your partner don't be quick to argue, instead, sit down and talk it out. If you approach your partner in a passive way 9 times out of 10 they will be more likely to compromise and agree upon a middle ground. Arguments lead to chaos in a home and chaos leads to problems nobody wants to have. Communicate and compromise and you, your partner, and your child will be happy in this journey through life.

Being A Young Parent

   Nobody ever told me it would be easy. Nobody ever told me it would be a walk in the park. All that was ever told to me was that it would be a struggle day to day. I remember that day like it was yesterday, we were in a hospital room awaiting the final moments of pregnancy and the beginning moments of parenthood. My life changed that very day.
 
  My daughter came into the world September 1st and it was the proudest day of my life. There I was 19 years old with a baby of my own, a little life that will depend on me. The true definition of happiness entered my life as I held that little baby and kissed her soft forehead, because I knew this was my daughter and nobody could ever change that.

  It has been a tough road and I will never tell you that it's an easy one because it's not. There are daily challenges that come along with being a young parent. For example, work will always be something that has great meaning in your life. Nothing ever comes free and baby's are no exception to this "rule". There are a lot of expenses that you will be faced with such as formula (if your child will be formula fed), and diapers. Both of these alone have, in my experience, been two of the biggest expenses. So work is something you have to have in order to be prepared for this.

  In my time of being a parent (which has only been 11 months) I have been through 4 jobs and the road has been rough but worth it. Don't ever feel bad if you go through a few different jobs, the main thing is finding some place where you can be happy but still be a provider for your new family.

  Anxiety has been an issue through my parenthood and I am still trying to find ways to deal with the feelings I have. I can honestly say that I was not prepared for this big step in my life and if you are reading this, it is most likely that you probably can relate to this. If you are a young parent you can see the difference between your life before and after your child. I can say I was just out of being a child myself and went right into the role of being a father. It was a lot to take in at once and it was almost like shock because here I was still a "teenager" going from depending on somebody to becoming depended on. It wasn't easy but it eventually gets easier.

  Society often frowns upon the "young parent" and they always find ways of making you feel like you made a mistake.. trust me I know how this feels. Over the past 11 months I have been stared at and talked down on. What I have learned through it all is that people will be human and we all have a right to an opinion but we also have the right to disagree with their opinions. Society will talk down on you. Let them. They want to see you fail so they can say "we told you so". My way of looking at it is prove them wrong, beat the statistics.

  If you have your partner in your relationship odds are you guys both are still trying to figure this out, I know my girlfriend and I are still working through the bumps still to this day. Communication is key in this, without communication you will feel like you are alone and that your partner doesn't understand and trust me that is the worst feeling. Always keep in mind that this is a partnership and you both are in it together and you are there to build one another up each day. If you keep an open line of communication, not only will your relationship stay healthy but your child will grow up happy also.

  Struggles come with this life and it will not always be easy. Society will always find a way to be judgemental, but let them they always will be judgemental. The only thing that matters is that you be the best parent you can be to that child of yours and give them a good example on the kind of person to be as they grow. Stay strong because the road gets easier each and every day and you will see all of the blessings that come with being a young parent! :-)

-Joshua