One of my best friends recently had his first child. After four months with his daughter, he has observed an interesting pattern: “With a kid, you have to plan so much, yet, at the same time, be incredibly flexible.”
Every time they leave the house now, they have to “bring their whole household,” as we joke in Germany. Nursing cover, diapers, wet wipes, “and we’re lucky,” my friend said, “because we don’t have to bring any food yet!” Meanwhile, another mutual friend of ours is already bringing a baby stool to every restaurant.
Despite all the prep work, however, my friend’s day might now adjust on the fly. “If we want to go out, we best do it right after she was fed and might sleep in the car.” If the baby is unwell, sleeps late, wakes up early, or doesn’t want to do her business, the rest of the schedule will have to be adjusted. That, too, requires space.
Parents perform many miracles. Becoming the ultimate pragmatist is only one of them. The next time your day suffers a frustrating but minor adjustment, remember the parent’s paradox—and cherish the level-headedness of many parents across the globe.
