Parent stories and expert advice / Kate
Blogposts by Kate
![A free lunch?](/img/blog/a-wwwt-blogpost.jpg?width=300&height=200&mode=crop)
A free lunch?
We had our first What Were We Thinking (WWWT) skype session when L was 6 weeks old. It was amazingly helpful! A and I just kept wondering how we got such good advice for free! There were two main benefits to WWWT.
![Ambition](/img/blog/a-wwwt-blogpost.jpg?width=300&height=200&mode=crop)
Ambition
Today was a bit of a disaster. I had arranged for someone to come clean the house (actually a tiny 2 bed apartment but you’d be amazed how dirty it can get) because I just hadn’t got around to doing it myself in the three months since L was born. But first I needed to do some major tidying, so that the cleaner could actually reach the floors, etc.
![A new reality](/img/blog/a-new-reality.jpg?width=300&height=200&mode=crop)
A new reality
I had my first "what were we thinking" moment in the third week. Well, I had my first doubts the week before L was born, when I was feeling smugly prepared for the birth (we took some great childbirth ed classes, 4 sessions spread over a month, which I would recommend for retention; and hired a wonderful doula) but then I realized that I was much less prepared for a newborn!
![Born in the USA](/img/blog/a-wwwt-blogpost.jpg?width=300&height=200&mode=crop)
Born in the USA
My partner and I are both from Melbourne, but we moved to New York a few years ago for work. There are lots of crazy things about the American health system, which has affected our birth experience in several ways.
![Five lessons I learnt in my first year as a mother](/img/blog/WWWT.jpg?width=300&height=200&mode=crop)
Five lessons I learnt in my first year as a mother
In this personal piece, Kate shares her experiences of the challenges being a first-time mum brought and how reaching out for support with friends makes the journey easier.
![Ground rules for first time grandparents](/img/blog/63e811f326c5046d204a95b6298484ca_when-mom-of-mother-580x326_featuredImage1.jpg?width=300&height=200&mode=crop)
Ground rules for first time grandparents
Before baby arrives, it's helpful to set some 'grandparent ground rules' ...
![Sleep deprivation](/img/blog/a-wwwt-blogpost.jpg?width=300&height=200&mode=crop)
Sleep deprivation
I cannot believe how bad the sleep deprivation has been. L is now 3 months, and he’s sleeping way better than he used to, but it’s still not easy. With apologies to the LGBT movement, I just keep thinking: “it gets better.” Or, I look at my own mum, and realize it must get better at some point …
![Things I cannot believe](/img/blog/a-wwwt-blogpost.jpg?width=300&height=200&mode=crop)
Things I cannot believe
L is 4 weeks old today.
![Unsettled baby](/img/blog/a-wwwt-blogpost.jpg?width=300&height=200&mode=crop)
Unsettled baby
The day of L's 4-week check-up, a few things suddenly came into focus for me. I had been feeling quite smug -- if still dazed from lack of sleep -- but L was feeding like a champion and putting on weight, and was generally an easy baby.