About Heather Camlot
A freelance writer, crafts junkie and mom of two, Heather Camlot is constantly on the lookout for that elusive work-life balance she hears so much about. Read about Heather's never ending search for five minutes to herself while trying to meet deadlines, make the school bus and raise two fantastic children.
I used to be a television junkie. Pre-kids I would watch a lot, but I also wrote about what I watched for work so I could easily cover up my addiction by waving around a paycheck.
These days, with two active kids and a busy career, I only have a handful of must-see shows. The ones that I must set the PVR for, the ones that I prefer to watch as they are broadcast, the ones that I get upset about if that week has been canceled for one reason or another.
One of those shows is the spy comedy Chuck. And while Chuck is my escapist show – CIA operatives traveling the world trying to capture the bad guys has nothing to do with me as mom-writer living a low-key, crime-free life in Toronto – lately it’s been making me a little weepy.
You see, a couple on the show had a baby, and their angst and awe remind me so much of what we go through as new parents and the valuable lessons we learn when that little bundle arrives.
So, without further ado, here are the lessons I’ve relearned from watching Season 4 of Chuck:
- Choosing a baby name is a big deal, but if you don’t make a decision when you’re level-headed you may be stuck with something awful.
- No matter how scared dad-to-be might be, mom needs you in the delivery room, not pacing the hospital halls. And you’ll always regret missing the birth if the only thing separating you is a door.
- Grandma is (most likely) NOT trying to be overbearing by taking over care of the baby soon after the birth. She wants to help, and she may just possibly want to fix mistakes she made with you with this opportune do-over.
- When you’re at the end of your rope – baby hasn’t slept, baby’s colicky, etc. – seek help. Perhaps it’s a family member or a friend who can pass on advice or take the baby for a while. Or maybe it’s a stuffed animal you find at the electronics store playing a certain song that happens to put baby fast asleep. (I did say this was from a television show.)
- Trust your instincts when it comes time to moving baby to his or her own room. If it’s too early, you’ll know. But if the time is right, life may just get better for everyone.
- You will get the hang of being a parent and you will return to doing the things you loved pre-baby.
- You will sleep again.
What parenting lessons have you learned from television? Log in and leave a comment below.
