When you’re in the hospital welcoming your newborn son, you encounter a flurry of labor and delivery nurses who are there to assist you around the clock. They check your vitals, offer guidance, and even provide some unexpected physical assessments after delivery (a heads-up: this includes some firm abdominal pressure that can lead to quite the surprise!). After you’ve met your little one, they’ll also instruct you on the basics of newborn care—temperature checks, bathing, various holding techniques, and diaper changes. It feels like you’re enrolled in a crash course at Newborn Son University, with the nurses as your instructors.
Having given birth to four sons myself, I can confidently say that while learning how to bathe a newborn is helpful, there are far more pressing skills that new boy moms should acquire during their time in the hospital. Imagine a well-rounded educational experience designed specifically for mothers of boys, covering essential topics you didn’t know you needed. Here are a few vital lessons:
1. Mastering Assembly and Disassembly
Forget just learning how to put together toys—this skill extends to everything from furniture to tech gadgets. For first-time boy moms, skip traditional classes and instead dive into a Lego set, scattering pieces throughout your home for when you inevitably navigate late-night bathroom trips. Understanding how to put toys back together (after they’ve been taken apart by curious hands) is crucial. Trust me, you’ll need to know how to fix everything from simple toys to complicated electronics.
2. Basic Haircut Techniques
Two boys in, and I figured out how to give haircuts on my own, but a short presentation from a local cosmetology school would have been invaluable. Learning how the numbered clippers work could have saved me from many disastrous haircuts. With four boys requiring frequent trims, I could have avoided hefty salon bills and learned a new skill that also keeps my family looking sharp.
3. Stitches and Basic First Aid
While I’ve been sewing since my teenage years, stitching up a cut on my son’s forehead shouldn’t require advanced medical training. Hospitals could do well to provide practical lessons on when stitches are necessary versus when less invasive options like Dermabond are suitable. This could save parents a trip to the ER and the associated costs.
4. Toilet Repair Skills
Understanding basic plumbing can save you from costly repairs. Knowing how to remove and repair toilets, especially when faced with toys flushed by your adventurous boys, is a skill worth acquiring. You’d be amazed at what can get lodged in a toilet, and this knowledge can save you time and money.
5. Anatomical Vocabulary for Boys
Before having boys, I was blissfully unaware of the myriad of terms they would use to refer to their anatomy. A glossary of “creative” names for male genitalia would be a welcome addition to the discharge papers for new parents. Understanding this vocabulary can help you navigate conversations about body parts with your sons as they grow.
6. Extra Skills for the Future
Once you’ve completed the essential lessons, consider adding skills like how to tie a tie in a moving vehicle, extinguish small fires that boys might create during experiments, and how to play poker (a favorite among kids). Embracing your role as the “queen of the castle” is crucial, as your home will soon be filled with friends vying for your sons’ attention.
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In summary, while the hospital offers essential newborn education, it’s crucial for boy moms to receive training in practical skills that will help them navigate the unique challenges of raising sons. From understanding toy assembly to mastering haircuts and plumbing, these lessons can make all the difference in day-to-day parenting.