12.1.11
Continuing with our Why I Love Being a Young Mom series…
This one can be flipped as a positive or a negative, depending on the way you look at it — but surprise, surprise, I’m choosing to be optimistic.
One of the more difficult aspects of being the first to get pregnant is the lack of advice and support from our friends. Even if you have the most supportive parents and aunts, overly willing to shell out their opinions, the rules and the products inevitably changed in the last 10 to 20 years. Babies ‘R Us isn’t the only place to register. Disposable diapers aren’t the only way to go. Formula isn’t the easier option.
Luckily we have endless virtual communities and resources, except that the information can be contradictory. And time consuming. And overwhelming. It’s much easier to go straight to a trusted friend; to call in an expert.
While we may have found ourselves isolated, alienated, from our non-parent friends, there comes a time when pregnancy news and belly photos finally start trickling into our Facebook news feeds. The people who had nothing in common with us 4 years ago are now knocking on our sub-culture’s door, wide-eyed and willing to listen.
And I don’t know about you, but I’m waiting to share my tips and tools. To offer sympathetic support in a realistic “I’ve Been There” way, because I was just there. To introduce them to my world.
From this point on, we’ll always be one step ahead. We’ll always be the ones that our rediscovered friends look to for a preview of what’s ahead, and hopefully for trusted advice on what’s to come.
Even if we’re used to navigating on our own.
7 Comments to Reason #19: Always the Expert
Kennedy
December 1, 2011 at 3:23 pm
This totally made me smile. My husband and I went through this, being the first to get married in our circle of friends and then first to have children. I remember being a bit lost and, honestly, hurt when a lot of our friend pulled away. I get it now, we were in two totally different places that don’t always mesh well. I thought that I would be very annoyed when they “caught up” to us again, but I have found a sweet joy in watching our friendships rekindle and grow in ways they never could have before. It was hard going it a lone at the time, but it is good to know that my hard earned experience can be shared (when asked of course!).
michellehorton
December 1, 2011 at 3:36 pm
Exactly! I feel the exact same way.
Hannah Pratt
December 1, 2011 at 4:43 pm
Michelle,
Your optimism is what makes this site so amazing and timeless really. And these photos? Did you take them yourself they are amazing.
michellehorton
December 1, 2011 at 4:52 pm
Thank you, Hannah! No, my sister did actually — I should have given her credit! All of the good photos = my sister. The Instagram photos = me. ha!
Cassie Boorn
December 1, 2011 at 9:23 pm
I have been thinking about this for a while now. You took the words right out of my mouth!
Jenna
December 1, 2011 at 10:16 pm
Agreed! I was one of the first of my friends to have kids and now everyone seems to be pregnant and wants to know what they really need, what cloth diapers we prefer, how to handle sleep problems, etc. I spent SO MUCH time and energy researching and trying everything it feels good that’s all going to good use beyond just our family.
michellehorton
December 2, 2011 at 2:20 am
@Jenna: I initially thought some people might be annoyed by all of the questions, precisely because we did put it so much time and energy researching. But I’m happy to see you have such a positive perspective. All of the research is being put to good use!