We Don’t Need That Nonsense: 5 Essentials for Parents

home insemination Kit

When I was expecting my first child, I had a long list of so-called necessities. A crib and changing table were obvious must-haves. A diaper pail seemed essential. And let’s not forget the overpriced rocking chair that promised comfort but came with a hefty price tag.

Once my little one arrived, my list expanded to include a mountain of books—far more than just baby and board books. I was hunting down self-help and parenting guides like they were the Holy Grail. With a baby who cried endlessly and barely slept, I was on a mission for all the information I could find. I needed answers, and I needed them fast!

As time went on, my perceived needs grew to encompass a fancy stroller, a massive baby gym, high-tech bottles that resembled laboratory equipment, tips for introducing solids, and endless advice on achieving that elusive night of uninterrupted sleep. Spoiler alert: I didn’t need any of it—none of it mattered.

Instead of all that clutter, here’s what parents truly require:

1. We need patience and kindness, plus a helping hand. When we enter a building with a diaper bag the size of a suitcase and a stroller the size of a small car, while juggling a wiggly toddler and a baby strapped to our chest, all we need is someone to hold the door for us. We don’t need judgment or side-eyes because our stroller is massive, or because our toddler is having a meltdown. Just hold the door, please!
2. We need encouragement and genuine offers of assistance. When we confess that we haven’t slept in days, we’re not looking for the latest sleep method recommendations. We don’t want to hear that whatever we are trying is wrong; we want someone to listen and say, “That sounds tough. Let me take the baby for a bit.” Sometimes, we just need empathy, not more advice.
3. We need forgiveness and understanding. When we slip up, yell at our kids, or turn away for a moment, we don’t need harsh judgment. We don’t want to hear how you would have done it differently or that your kid would never act that way. What we need is a reminder that parenting isn’t perfect.
4. We need a community. Sure, friends with kids can be helpful, but a true tribe makes all the difference. They’ll set up meal schedules when you come home from the hospital and even take your kids for an afternoon nap so you can recharge. A tribe doesn’t just offer playdates; they offer real support without unsolicited advice.
5. And we need heaps of grace—for ourselves and others. Perfection is a myth; it’s time we acknowledge that. I mess up daily: I yell, I give in to demands for more junk food, and I often zone out during my kids’ endless stories. I also have my wins, but at the end of the day, I try to forgive myself for my missteps.

Looking back, I wish I had known what I truly needed as a parent. I would have spent less time on endless advice and more time trusting my instincts. I would have invested in experiences, like babysitters, rather than gadgets, and I would have cared less about external opinions and more about being kind to myself. Because in the end, what we really need is a solid support system, selective memory, and a carefree attitude.

Those pricey products, unsolicited advice, and conflicting research? Let’s leave that nonsense behind.

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Summary

Parents often get caught up in unnecessary products and conflicting advice, but what they truly need is patience, support, understanding, and community. Simplifying the parenting journey focuses on self-compassion and genuine connections, rather than material possessions and external validation.