Ethan ยท 2 months old ยท 2 months ago
When did you start feeling like a 'real' parent?
Ethan is a month old and I still feel like I'm babysitting someone else's kid sometimes. Like someone's going to show up and say 'okay thanks, we'll take it from here.' When did it click for you that you're actually a parent now?
This feeling is so common it has a name - 'imposter syndrome' of parenthood! Most parents report it gradually fading over the first 2-4 months as you develop routines and confidence. For many, there's a specific moment that clicks - the first time baby smiles AT you, when you instinctively know what they need, or when you realize no one knows this particular baby better than you do. Some parents say it took until their baby was older. There's no 'right' timeline. You're doing all the parent things, which means you ARE a parent, even if it doesn't feel that way yet. The feeling will come!
Always consult your pediatrician for medical advice.