This post comes from our new BBH team member, Beth!

I can’t tell you how many times people have said to me “enjoy those babies! They grow so fast”. People close to me and random strangers have said it… I’d always smile and nod and laugh to myself, because sometimes days with my three babies seemed to last an eternity! But now that my “babies” are school age and approaching adolescence, I realize those people were so right and I find myself longing for those days again. I wish I cuddled more, sat down and played more, read more books. I hear myself looking at new moms and blurting out, “enjoy those babies! It goes so fast!” Then I walk away with a pang in my heart… Looking back, I can say with complete certainty that I was a great mom and I did cuddle, play and read with my girls. I just wish I did it MORE. I wish I could step into a time machine and do it all again. My advice to new moms is– the dishes can wait, your kids won’t remember a clean house, but they will remember a fantastic mom…

1. Rock your babies to sleep…don’t listen to what the books or doctors say, that your baby will become dependent on you and won’t be able to get themselves down…. hogwash! That will come in time…Take time to hold that baby at night… It is the most precious, bonding and loving experience you will have with your little one!

2. Make a “playlist”. Fill it with music from today and yesterday. Your baby will know it’s bedtime when you put it on. My girls recognize songs today from their “sleepytime music” and it brings back such sweet, pleasant memories

3. Establish special bedtime traditions…this way your children won’t fight bedtime, they will look forward to it! (OK, I lied… some nights it will be like nailing jello to a tree trying to get them to bed, but if you try to make it a special time it will get easier… I promise.) Some of our traditions included, tracing each other’s faces and naming each part “Mommy’s nose, baby’s nose etc”, “squeezy” hugs and soft hugs, whispering good things to dream about (this was my favorite– I would lean down and whisper in their little ears… I would tell them to dream about things we were looking forward to i.e., vacations, play dates, holidays or I would tell them to dream about things that are special to them like their favorite toy or friend. It was a wonderful way to lull them back to sleep in the middle of the night if they had a nightmare.) Important: Each night the routine should be the same (kids love this, then they know what to expect!)… Of course, we would start our routine with a favorite book…Now, as I stated before, I’m not promising you might not have some nights that don’t go so smoothly and those little “dreamboats” don’t cooperate and bedtime turns into disasterville… Those are the nights that you close their bedroom door and pour yourself a nice glass of wine…. I like red!

4. Read it again! When you read to your children and they ask you to “read it again!”–read it again. You will become sick of certain books, but one day your child will turn around and read it to you and you will be sooo proud! (you know they memorized it, but who cares! They’re reading!)

5. Sing in the bathtub!!! I come from a long line of Mothers who sang to their children in the tub. I sang the songs that my great grandmother sang to my grandmother. “School Days”, “A -You’re Adorable”, “The Animal Fair”… These songs are over 100 years old! (I remember a family party where, my mother, my aunts, cousins and I blurted them out in the kitchen- people looked at us like we had three heads… They didn’t get how special it was and what an awesome tradition was handed down. Singing in the bathtub is a fun way to play

6. Play with your kids! I’ll never forget a day in the spring when I was outside with my girls and we were tracing their bodies with sidewalk chalk on the driveway. My neighbor was driving by and she stopped the car. (She had three kids close to the same ages as mine) She blurted out in awe, “you actually play with your kids!?” I couldn’t believe her question…. of course I play with my kids, why wouldn’t I? It never dawned on me that some people don’t…. Don’t be that person. Play with your kids! Make memories that will last a lifetime. Take pictures and enjoy each and every giggle and smile! And if and when you get a little sick of those darlings, which don’t be afraid to admit…. this happens. Those are the days you call a babysitter and meet a friend or go out to dinner with your hubby.

7. Take pictures! I guess I really don’t need to give that advice in this day and age when it is so easy to snap a pic or video with your phone. But I will say, don’t leave your pictures untouched and unloved hanging in cyberspace. Organize those pictures! Make picture books, slide shows and collages. Let the kids see those adorable snaps of themselves. They love to see pics of themselves and it helps them to keep those memories of special times alive. To all the moms of little girls…. Take a picture of them dressed up as a bride. I can already see it framed and prominently displayed at her bridal shower or wedding!! If she is interested in something like a particular instrument or sport, get lots of photo ops with that too! You never know if you may have a Taylor Swift or Mia Hamm in your midst! Moms of boys, who knows? Football star, pilot???? Sky’s the limit! Take lots of pics! (They could be worth something someday–and we all know they will be priceless in your eyes!)

8. Get Messy! Allow your babies to attempt to feed themselves. It will be messy, but they will become more independent and learn faster if you allow them to make a mess or drop some crumbs on the floor sometimes.(This might be a good time to adopt a family pet, for this reason alone!) I remember being stopped by an older woman at a restaurant who was impressed with my oldest who was using her fork by herself at a very young age. I remember, not only feeling proud of my baby, but feeling proud of myself… Sometimes, motherhood can feel like a very thankless job, don’t let it! It is the most important job you will ever do and you will find yourself getting excited over a kid holding a fork in public, sounds weird, but true!!! You’ll see…

9. Family Rules! Establish some fun family traditions. We have a few. One, is that we have made a promise that no matter where we live, near or far, we will always try to get together on the Fourth of July (My youngests’ Bday). This rule is easy to keep now, because they are still young, but as they grow, we know that this rule is set in stone and we will always be together. My thought is, when
they grow up- Christmas, Easter and important holidays must be shared among families (in-laws, boyfriends etc.) but the fourth of July, that’s an easy one to tell others you already have plans! We also like to go see Santa on my birthday. (December 4th) This tradition, sadly will fizzle someday, but it will remain one of those happy family memories that will live forever in our hearts.

These “baby days” may seem like they drag forever, but take my word and all of the strangers on the street who will stop and adore your little ones and give you that sound advice, “cherish these days, they grow up so fast!” It’s sad…. but unfortunately….true. Savor every moment!!!!