Category: Parent Talk
Hi,
I'm Jen and I have recently found out I am expecting my first kiddo with my long time boyfriend of 4 years, we couldn't be happier, But then again there are some questions that do raise in my mind as far as being visually impaired and taking care of a little one. My boyfriend is total and is in a situation where he cannot live with me, so i will basically be raising this baby as a single mother, any suggestions while i wait for the baby machine to round me out. LOL In case you were wondering i am 15 weeks along and oh so excited.
love ya
jen
Well, congratulations there, Mommy-to-be!
I can remember all those feelings oh so well. My son is 8 now so it's been a while though. There are so many different directions we could take this topic but it might be more helpful to you and less overwhelming, if you had some specific questions or concerns that those of us who've gone before you could answer.
How much vision do you have? I have very little and my husband has none. Do you have family around?
Now for the fun stuff. Are you hoping for a boy or girl?
Ok, Hubby just got home so I gotta jet for now. Talk to you soon. Hope you're feeling well.
Hi Jen. I can't give you much in the way of advice about the blindness issue. I've not had a child, and my wife is sighted in any case. That said, one thing I seriously recommend is learning about your body, and what's going to happen. As well as what it means. You're going to go through a lot of change (as you no doubt already realize, even fifteen weeks along). Just remember that no matter what you go through, you're not alone. Someone has gone through it. There's a really great website community called The Bump. There's a lot of great information. It has an open forum. And there are boards devoted to pretty much any stage of the experience and circumstances you can imagine. Even if you don't want to actively participate, you can lurk. "Ina May's guide to child birth" is an absolutely wonderful resource if you can get your hands on it. It talks about pregnancy as a whole, along with all the different ways to deliver. It's well-written, and quite informative.
Of course you'll be getting a ton of people giving you advice. Some of it you'll want, the rest will probably drive you nuts. But hang in there. I'm really sorry to hear your guy can't be with you during this time. I really hope you two will have the opportunity to grow closer together, both literally and figuratively. Because two heads and hearts are definatley better than one.
I wish you well.
congratulations first. be brave and confident that you can manage by yourself. since you have already decided to have a kid.
I got two kids myself and I was the one took care of them while they were small for the most part. And again, I'm totally as well, other than some light perception. So I'm dam sure you can also manage. I won't say it is an easy task. But we can.
Raaj.
Hey Jen,
Congrats! I'm Bernadetta, and my boyfriend and I have a seven month old little boy, so I've been through all this just recently as well.
My boyfriend and I are both totally blind and we're raising our kid on our own aside from some occasional help from some family members. (just like most other people, sighted or blind, who have a new baby). Are you totally blind or just VI?
Either way, you can take care of a baby just fine. I can identify with your apprehention since I'd just been through that myself. I couldn't imagine how I'd take care of a little one--I didn't even know how to change a diaper for goodness sake.
Hey, tell ya what: Every preggo girl needs someone to talk to, especially if they have a little extra prep to take care of if, for example, they're blind. I'd be happy to chat with you sometime and tell you of my experience, answer any questions--since, as I said, I'd just been through this myself, not even a year ago.
There's also a blind parent list, blparent@nfbnet.org. it's through the nfb, but it's not really affiliated with them. There are a bunch of new and veteran mommies who can be a great support system as well.
But yeah... Like I said, if you want to chat just Private message me sometime and I could give you my Screenname for a messenger. or Just PQN me if we happen to be on here at the same time. I'd be happy to chat.
Talk to ya later.
well, Domestic Goddess, I have a little bit about five feet of decently usable vision, things are still difficult now but manageable, the father nothing at all.
As far as the sex of the baby i am seeing beautiful things i like about both. Girl, dress her up, do her hair and just watch her turn into a lovely young lady. But then again i love the mama's boys.... plus watching in sports and whatever he may be into, awesome. either way i'm happy.