For those of you who don’t know my wife and I welcomed our first child on October 31st, 2022.

Becoming a first-time parent is one of life’s most exciting and challenging experiences. From changing diapers to feeding and putting your little one to sleep, there’s no shortage of things that need to be done on a daily basis. With so much to do at all times, it is a constant balancing act managing your time. I heard a hilarious quote the other day that went something like this ” having a baby is easy, doing anything else with the baby is the hard part”.

Let’s talk about my first baby, Crier Media. I have been working on this project for the better part of 5 years. It’s a full-time job on top of my other full-time job. I was naive and thought I could keep up the same level of work that I did before my son. Sadly that was not possible. I have had to miss meetings, concede some responsibilities, blog less or not get back to people by email right away which has been hard for me to do. Did my lack of attentiveness kill some of my relationships with a few colleagues? Yes it did. Did they block me on social media because they did not like my level of effort? Also yes. When you have a child something glorious happens, you realize what is important and what isn’t and if some of my colleagues couldn’t understand that I was learning to manage maybe the biggest change in a human beings life that is a them problem. Don’t let the door hit you where the good lord split you on your way out.

However, I needed to recognize that being a first-time parent is a steep learning curve. While I read books and took classes, nothing can fully prepare you for the reality of having a newborn in your life. Accepting that there will be challenges and that it’s okay to make mistakes helped me feel less overwhelmed and better equipped to handle the ups and downs of parenthood.

I needed to get through my head that my first priority was being a good father and husband and everything else comes after.

I have figured out that one of the best ways to manage your time as a new parent establishing a routine. Babies thrive on predictability, and having a set schedule can help you stay organized and make the most of your time. This may involve creating a daily routine that includes feeding times, nap times, and playtime and time to do work. Once my wife and I got a routine in place ( which literally happened last week), we try to stick to it as much as possible, but also be flexible enough to adjust it when necessary.

The biggest thing for me personally to learning to prioritize. With so many tasks vying for your attention, it’s important to determine which tasks are essential and which can wait.

It’s also important to enlist the help of others when possible. This may involve asking a partner, family member, or friend to help out with certain tasks or to watch your little one while you take care of other responsibilities. Don’t be afraid to reach out for help when you need it – raising a child is a team effort, and there’s no shame in asking for support. Luckily we have an amazing support system.

The biggest key is to remember to take care of yourself. Parenting can be exhausting, both physically and emotionally, and neglecting your own needs can lead to burnout and stress. Make sure to carve out time for self-care, whether that involves taking a walk, reading a book, or simply taking a few deep breaths. When you take care of yourself, you’ll be better equipped to take care of your little one and manage your time effectively.

Managing your time as a first-time parent can be challenging, but with patience, persistence, and a willingness to learn, it’s possible to navigate the learning curve of parenthood. Establishing a routine, learning to prioritize, enlisting help from others, and taking care of yourself are all essential components of effective time management as a new parent. Remember to be kind to yourself and celebrate your successes along the way – after all, there’s no one “right” way to be a parent, and every small victory is worth celebrating.