[blparent] New Parent Introduction

Wed Sep 19 18:15:03 UTC 2012

Hi Tracey.  Congratulations on the beginning of your awesome journey into 
motherhood.

My daughter is four and a half years old.  I have a black Labrador guide dog 
that I had for about four and a half years before my baby was born.  She got 
pretty stressed out because first my boyfriend moved in with me, and then I 
had a baby.  The best thing I can tell you is to let your dog give you the 
cues.  Mine did eventually get used to things.  Be sure to lavish attention 
on your dog the same after the baby comes as you do now.  It will be hard to 
remember sometimes, but taking that extra moment to give a pet or toss a 
ball will make all the difference.

As to people who have doubts about your ability to parent, just be calm and 
confident without appearing arrogant.  Introduce yourself to the nurses on 
the labor and delivery floor ahead of time, maybe when you go to birthing 
classes or register for your hospital stay.  Then too, admit when you need 
help.  If you don't have much experience with infants, that's okay.  A lot 
of sighted people go into parenthood without much experience.  Take 
advantage of any classes your hospital might offer in baby care, 
breastfeeding, or the like.  If you think you might need it, there are home 
health nurses who can visit you in your home before and after your baby is 
born.  Build your network of friends and family because believe me, blind or 
sighted, you'll need help as a new mom.  Sometimes that might just be 
someone to come mind your baby while you take a relaxing shower or a nap.

The NFB publishes an illustrated booklet called "Parenting Without Sight." 
Consider ordering a couple of the free booklets to give to your doctor, the 
hospital social worker, and the nurses.

Also, the Hadley School for the Blind teaches a three-part course on 
parenting basics.  I learned a great deal from the course.

Good luck, and feel free to ask lots of questions of the list.

Jo Elizabeth

Truth is tough. It will not break, like a bubble, at a touch; nay, you may 
kick it about all day like a football, and it will be round and full at 
evening.--Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr.
-----Original Message----- 
From: Tracey Turri
Sent: Wednesday, September 19, 2012 10:59 AM
To: blparent at nfbnet.org
Subject: [blparent] New Parent Introduction

Hello parents,
My name is Tracey, and I am expecting my first child in early Apr of
next year.  I have very little usable vision, just light, dark,
cullors and shaddos.  Being a parent has always been the one thing I
have wanted to acomplish in my life, I feal my purpus in life is to be
a mom, that said the fact I am blind has, and I am sure will present a
few more chalenges thrue this jurney than for a sighted mother.  My
fiancee Ian and I, (Ian is fully sighted by the way) are both very
excited to become parents and would love to get advice from others who
have been there.
One of my first questions is how to introduce baby and your guide dog.
My yellow lab Pria I think all ready is guessing something is up with
mom, she's been more clingy and attentive over the passed few weeks
(maby the fact I've had morning sickness plays a roal in that?)  Plus
last week when we had the first altrosound she wasn't quite sure about
the woosh woosh woosh noise of the babies heart beting coming out of
the computer, Ian thinks she thought the doctor was hurting me.  We've
been giving her the usual amount of attention and walkies, work and
leasure, and trying to keep her ruteen as normal as possible, but I
would like her to be prepaired once little one comes home.
I am so greatful that their is a list for blind parents to unite and
support one another with out worrieing about someone trying to take
our children away if were having a little bit of a hard time.  In kace
you couldn't tell, that's something that really worries me, someone
making an arbitrary judgment that I shouldn't be aloud to parent just
because of the blindness issue.
Ok, reading back over this, I find that I am blabbing, so I'll stop
now, but I am looking forward to learning from and hopefully making
new friends with you.
Have a blessed day,
Tracey

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