oh the joys of pregnancy

I found out yesterday (while the rest of my family found out a week ago) that my cousin is pregnant. I should be happy right? Well I am don't get me wrong, after my inital shock of course. Pregnancy is a wonderful time for a woman to endure. The mood swings, morning sickness all that exciting stuff.

now I'm going into the field of early education and childcare. You would think I have a respected opinion and that others would take into consideration that I know what I'm talking about when it comes to this? That depends on who you ask. Of course, I'm not a mother yet to my own child (and I don't plan on having children until I'm good and ready) but it doesn't have to take a mother to know everything when you're raising a child. Yes I'm still learning and taking classes but by now I think my educated inferences should be valued.

I wasn't close to my other cousin when she gave birth to her daughter but I have a little closer of a relationship to this cousin who recently found out she's expecting. This gives me a chance to be involved in her child's life and I don't want to ruin that chance. This also would give me even more experience to know what I would come to interact with.

good skills in parenting

frequently, my mom would ask me to go do chores. However, it isn't asked like a normal question would be. She would be like "Jess, want to get the laundry for me?" That way I have no choice but to answer, "yeah sure" On one hand, it's like why don't you just tell me instead of asking? On the other, it's nice of her to ask, instead of barking out orders. I think this is a good parenting skill that she developed while raising my sister and I.