"A baby can be a good excuse to skip a party, but . . . goodbye alone time, hello awkward new social obligations. All parents want the same things: to balance work and home life, to raise happy kids, to never attend a baby drumming class, and to build a secret room in their home where they can hide (preferably not the bathroom). Yes, an introverted parent would more keenly want to be free of the slew of attention and expectations that accompany both pregnancy and parenthood, but even the most outgoing person is sure to reach their limit eventually. Here, with laugh-out-loud humor and well-earned experience, Julie Vick offers coping mechanisms for everything from sharing the news that you are becoming a parent to the moment the baby is born (one way or another, it will happen), from managing doctor visits to handling playdates. She offers advice on finding childcare and ignoring the nursing versus formula conversation with strangers. Witty yet valuable, her tips, checklists, and the occasional chart focus on the time from pregnancy through preschool"-- Provided by publisher.

Includes index.

To have or not to have a kid -- Pregnancy : when a baby is going to come out of your body (one way or another) -- Expecting another way -- Sharing the news -- Panic! at the baby shower -- If you overthink things and you know it : selecting a baby name -- Showtime : the birth -- Social overload : managing well-meaning friends and family -- Nourishment with a dash of judgement : feeding your baby -- Not even alone in your sleep : managing lack of sleep -- Information overload : dealing with social media and conflicting advice -- I might actually be here to make friends : finding parent friends -- Securing your alone time : selecting childcare -- Required outings : managing doctor visits -- How to deal with never being alone -- The days are long, but the baby classes are longer : surviving parent-child classes -- Birthday parties : throwing them -- Forced socialization : playdates -- Attending kids' birthday parties -- All eyes on you : public tantrums -- Kids are loud : trying to find your quiet -- Bedtime struggles -- The great outdoors : how to survive the playground -- Food fights : eating out with your toddler -- I need you! Dealing with constant interruptions -- Babes in travel land : traveling with young kids -- Welcome to the jungle : starting preschool -- The more the scarier : expecting another child -- Reflection time.