Ours was 12-hour flight away from where we were, and the first 2 years was very very very damn stressful. In fact, I don't rememeber anything from the first 5 months or so.
To say that having a kid is a major lifestyle change is an understatement. It completely, abruptly and irreversibly fucks up whatever lifestyle you had, including any ability to work in long stretches or to even poke around things you like for your own pleasure. Your life is no longer your own. So if there's someone who can take at least some load off and grant you back a little of personal time, it's a huge help.
Completely agree. Though you can sometimes relocate family.
My parents moved to live very nearby after our first (a few years ago) and we've since had twins (now 3 kids). The fact that they can come over almost every day to help out in small bits is immensely stress-releiving.
Ours was 12-hour flight away from where we were, and the first 2 years was very very very damn stressful. In fact, I don't rememeber anything from the first 5 months or so.
To say that having a kid is a major lifestyle change is an understatement. It completely, abruptly and irreversibly fucks up whatever lifestyle you had, including any ability to work in long stretches or to even poke around things you like for your own pleasure. Your life is no longer your own. So if there's someone who can take at least some load off and grant you back a little of personal time, it's a huge help.