What would you give a First time Parent?

Last month I shared posts on things that I wish I knew before becoming a parent Part 1 and Part 2. After writing those posts it amazed me to think that in just 6 weeks William will turn 7.

I also realised that in those years I have learnt more about parenting than I could have ever read from any parenting book or guide; as well as knowing that I still have an awful lot to learn.

7 years ago I had these perfect ambitions and thoughts on what I would like to do, which techniques I would have and how I would initiate them.  I was, in reality, a potential Silky Parent.

Fast forward to now and I can just laugh at those ridiculous ideas.  It became pretty clear within the first month of having William that he would lead the way of my parenting and not the other way round.

The Boys Mum and I were both alone as parents too. No one in our family had children of similar age and we were, and still are, the first amongst many of our friends to have children.

A similar thing happened when we had James.

5 years ago I thought I knew what I had to do and how to do it. Oh, how naïve was I!

James, of course, was nothing like William and I had to learn how to be a parent all over again.

Today, and 5 years on, I have no idea really what the first few months of parenthood was actually like.

I know there was a lot of crying; from both the boys and us as parents.

One thing that I do remember is that there ended up being a lot if items that I, and the boys Mum, went “Why don’t we have that?” All of which seemed really useful but no real parenting book or guide told us that we would need.

This is where the problem lies: the Golden Unicorn item.

One of my oldest and closest friends is expecting his first child this year; something that I am thrilled about. I have already had many phone calls where we have chatted about different aspects of what to expect.

I know that they will receive plenty of presents big and small but I would like to give something more unique.

My thought would be all the small or smaller things that after the baby has been born that parents reach for and go “Why don’t we have that” or “wow, we ran out of that so quickly” and “I didn’t realise we needed this.  

Then on collecting all these little things I could present a large box to them of useful and necessary presents; rather than another present that people generically give first time parents.

So what was the one item that you instantly realised you needed?

What small items can I gather together and give as a large present?

All help is greatly appreciated!