How NOT to Visit the Family of a Newborn

~Drop in unannounced the first week or so after the birth.
~Stay at least an hour or two to show you really care.
~Ignore the fact that the kids of the house seem to be getting restless for dinner or for some down time, even bedtime, or for some of their parents’ attention and care. Clearly your visit is more important.
~Make it clear that you came to see the baby and the baby you must see, even if the weary parent has just spent thirty minutes or more getting the little one off to sleep in the crib.
~Of course you’ll want to hold the baby too.
~Bring your kids along on the visit. Maybe one of them wants to hold the baby?
~Maybe a friend of yours would like to come. It doesn’t matter if that friend knows the family or not.
~Come thirsty or hungry.
~Come empty handed. Or bring something for a baby gift that you enjoy buying because it’s cute, or something you already have on hand. Don’t bother to ask what would actually be helpful.
~It’s cool to show the new parents they are needed by asking for some favor from one of them, maybe your laptop looked at or a phone number looked up or some other favor or business taken care of.
~Be sure to point out to the parents anything they are doing with the baby that you think could be improved on.

How TO Visit the Family of a Newborn

Don’t.

Well, ok, I’m sorry. You are actually most welcome to visit if you are good friends, stay only 15 minutes, do not have expectations of seeing the baby (or the mom, for that matter), and are dropping off some healthy, yummy food or a new crib sheet.