Fall Editor's Letter
I am a scheduler by nature. I like routine and to know what is going to happen and when. As l learned, infants are quite the opposite, and my two newborns didn’t really care about my schedule or what I had planned. In the first few weeks home with my older, I certainly experienced a steep learning curve. And although she was a very good baby, I learned many things just don’t go according to plan with an infant. I have a clear memory of being really, really tired, and Tori had gone down around 8:00. I looked at my husband, shrugged my shoulders and said, “Well, I should probably go to bed now as well so I can get some sleep before she wakes up.” New parents, we’ve got you covered! Check out “Newborn Care 101” for great tips and advice to get you through the first few weeks.
I consider myself fortunate that neither of my girls spent time in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), but I know for many parents time in the NICU is a reality. Parents with a child in the NICU deal with so many things, but I had never really thought about those parents having to deal with post-traumatic stress disorder (PSTD). Olathe mom Sarah Lyons, who had three babies in the NICU, shares her journey with PSTD after her children were out of the NICU. I hope those of you dealing with this situation find some comfort and camaraderie in her story.
Cooler temps in KC make this the perfect time to head outdoors with little ones! Check out great fall outings with tots, as well as pumpkin patches and weekly events perfect for the younger set.
Happy fall, KC!