New Parent Tips: Handling ages 1-5

1.⁠ ⁠The first year is the hardest. Spend as much money as you can on services - nannies, amazon, cleaning services (1-2x/wk) & cooks (1-2x/wk) - all are a must. You should spend 75%+ of your HH income this year without blinking. 

2.⁠ ⁠⁠2yrs 3 months (27 months) is when the pressure will reduce from the first kid. Immediately plan kid #2 - the pediatric recommended gap is 2-3y.

3.⁠ ⁠⁠You’re signing up for 5 years of intensive care and support. Kids become a lot less pressure at age 5-6 (and that’s why schools at K work). 

4.⁠ ⁠⁠Every year before age 6 is entirely different. 

5.⁠ ⁠⁠If you have 1 kid, you’re signing up for 17 years of parenting and energy exchange. If you have 2 kids, you’re signing up for only 6 years (the 2nd one will work with the first one at age 2-3 and you’re all good). 

Our kids have just reached 6 and 3 and the pressure is now letting up. 

Keep expectations clear - life before kids is over. It’s a 6 year journey to stability, and +10y after that is your startup with the kids to get them to college. 

Kids grow up quickly. 

By 6 they won’t be as cute.

By 9-10 they won’t want you around their friends, you'll not be cool and they'll want independence.

By 13 - you’ll all be fighting. 

By 16 - college is around the corner.

1-5 is the best age for children.