The Advice I Give Every New Parent
2026-06-24
If I could sit down with every new parent over a cup of coffee and share what I've learned after more than 40 years as a speech-language pathologist, this is what I would say.
First, no one is ever completely prepared for parenthood.
You can read every parenting book, watch every video, and ask advice from everyone you know, but none of those things can prepare you for your baby. Every child is different, and every parent-child relationship is unique.
Your baby will surprise you.
They will surprise you with what they can do and with what they can't do—at least not yet. They will make you laugh more than you imagined, and there may also be days when you worry, feel overwhelmed, or wonder if you're doing enough.
That's normal.
In those early weeks, it can feel like your entire life revolves around feeding, changing diapers, and trying to get a little sleep. Some babies settle into predictable routines. Others seem determined to keep their parents guessing. You may have a baby who sleeps for long stretches, or you may find yourself awake every two hours wondering if you'll ever feel rested again.
While you're learning about your baby, remember that your baby is learning too.
Your baby is learning who you are.
They are learning that when they cry, someone comes. They are learning that your voice is comforting. They are learning that they are safe, loved, and cared for. Long before your baby understands words, they are building trust.
That trust becomes the foundation for everything that follows.
As your baby grows, you'll naturally compare them with other children. Every parent does. One baby rolls over early; another walks at nine months. One says words before their first birthday, while another is busy exploring the world without saying much at all.
Some babies develop exactly as expected. Others need a little extra support because of hearing differences, developmental delays, medical conditions, or simply because development doesn't always follow the same timetable.
No matter what your child's path looks like, there will be moments of pride, moments of worry, and countless moments that remind you just how remarkable your child is.
One of my hopes for every parent is that they don't become so focused on preparing their child for the next stage that they forget to enjoy the stage they're in today.
Don't spend your baby's first year worrying about preschool.
Don't spend the toddler years worrying about kindergarten.
Enjoy your child today.
Your baby's brain is growing at an astonishing rate during the first few years of life. Every cuddle, every smile, every conversation, every game of peek-a-boo, every bedtime story, and every silly song helps build important brain connections.
The wonderful news is that you don't need expensive toys, flashcards, educational apps, or complicated lesson plans.
Children don't learn language because someone sits them down to teach them for thirty minutes each day.
They learn because life is full of opportunities to connect.
- Talk while you change a diaper.
- Describe what you're doing while preparing lunch.
- Pause and wait for your baby to smile or make a sound before responding.
- Read the same favourite book again and again.
- Play on the floor together.
- Sing while giving a bath.
- Laugh together.
These ordinary moments are where extraordinary learning happens.
I also want parents to remember that childhood isn't a race.
There will always be someone whose child walked earlier, counted higher, or recognized more letters.
Those milestones may feel important in the moment, but they aren't what determine academic success or whether a child will become a curious learner, a caring friend, or a confident communicator.
Children need loving relationships far more than they need early academics.
As parents, our goal isn't to raise the child who does everything first.
Our goal is to raise a child who feels secure, curious, kind, resilient, and confident enough to become their own person.
If we do our job well, something wonderful happens.
Little by little, our children need us less.
One day you'll no longer tie their shoes, read bedtime stories every night, or hold their hand crossing the street.
That's not failure.
That's success.
Your role slowly changes from caregiver to coach, from teacher to mentor, and eventually to trusted friend and supporter.
That has always seemed to me to be one of the greatest privileges of being a parent.
So, if I could leave every new parent with just one piece of advice, it would be this:
Slow down.
Put your phone away for a few minutes.
Get down on the floor.
Follow your baby's lead.
Talk, laugh, read, sing, and play together.
Years from now, your child won't remember whether you taught them the alphabet at two years old.
But the relationship you build today will shape the person they become tomorrow.
One Thing to Try Today
Spend just 10 uninterrupted minutes with your baby. Turn off your phone, get down on the floor, and let your baby choose the activity. Talk about what they're looking at, imitate their sounds and gestures, smile, and enjoy the moment. Those ten minutes are doing far more for your baby's development than most parents realize.