When a child is about to enter the world, there is a cause for celebration. The longer this world goes on spinning, the more the family unit changes and there are so many aspects of life that change with it. Schools are falling behind in academics and social skills. So, more and more families are choosing to homeschool. Businesses are becoming more and more insensitive to the rigors of home life.
So, men and women, alike, are choosing to work from home and become their own boss when available. Even family vacation destinations are being overwhelmed with worldly tendencies and insensitivity to what the nuclear family should be and shouldn’t be exposed to.
So, now there is a need to get back to the old fashioned family retreat and bring the family together, as they should be, for the entrance of a new family member. Below are some things to keep in mind as you prepare to bring your new family edition into the world.
Schedule Extended Leave From Work
We all have to work. It is a fact of life, but when Junior is ready to make his grand entrance, it’s time to take a break for awhile. Many companies still do not make very good accommodations for the pregnant mother or the father to be, but there are some that are beginning to rediscover the true value of the family unit and that a newborn thrives the best when his/her mother and father are present around the clock.
Hopefully, it is one of these that you work for. Either way, spend some time making sure that you are clear and ready to go when the time comes. Make sure that all your paperwork is turned in and that your job will indeed be waiting on you when you return. If you can, it is advisable that you seek a year off to cultivate the schedule and environment that your young one can continue to grow in when you return to work.
Have Your Destination Ready And Waiting
It’s difficult and very unusual to not know about a coming child and preparation can save you so many headaches. Take the time to sit down with your family and, even if it is at home, set up at least a month of time where your family and the new addition can have time to adjust and get to know each other. If you have other children and they are enrolled in public school, work out a temporary home schooling option so that they can be involved in the bonding process with mom, dad, and little sibling.
If you choose to go out of town for awhile, make sure accommodations are made to feed your family for a month and that there are things to do in the near vicinity of your retreat. Also, it is a smart idea to know how to get to surrounding medical facilities should there be an unfortunate medical emergency with the baby or other family member.
Bring Comfort From Home
We all know that, even as adults, there are things at home that we just can’t live without. Things that give us pleasure or just help us relax from a long day at work or school. Bring them. These things could include your cell phone, headphones, music, yours or your child’s security objects, body pillows, pets, favorite movies, gaming console and games, board games, or books.
Make sure to take them. This is indeed a family retreat and there will be a great deal of family time involved, but there will also be times that each of you will need a respite from each other. Alone time is essential to the building of relationships with others. Bring your home comforts with you.
Bringing a new life into the world is awesome! Bring back the importance of the event by scheduling a lengthy family retreat where you and your family can take the time to become the strong family unit you should be.
Originally posted on September 27, 2017 @ 1:02 pm