Because becoming a mum changes you...!
The moment we hold our babies in our arms for the first time we know things are never going to be the same. Okay, we abstractly knew that when we got pregnant, but the second we meet our baby we know, know.
And one of the main things that happens is that things are put into perspective. Once we have this little scrap relying on us, for like, ever, heaps of things we cared about before just seem to evaporate into the ether.
Like this stuff:
1. Being the perfect parent
When we religiously pored over those blogs and parenting books during our pregnancy we were full of good intentions. We’ll be perfect. We’ll be brilliant. No one will have EVER parented so well. Cut to a few months later, stumbling half asleep through a messy house and feeling that the fact your child is still alive is good enough.
2. Handling gross stuff
Even those of us with notoriously weak stomachs are soon cleaning up poo, puke and other unidentified goo with the best of them. *makes weak victory fist*
3. Pettiness
Petty issues and arguments affect us less when we become parents. The fact we have the responsibility of our child’s moral, emotional and physical development so they don’t grow up into t****ers sort of dwarfs all other worries.
4. How our bodies look
Okay, we still want to be fit and healthy, but suddenly we can accept that extra curviness around our hips a lot more, because we look at our kids and realise how amazing our bodies are for creating them.
5. Everything except sleep
Remember those days when we used to want to get dressed up and go out, or go shopping, or see our friends? Well suddenly everything we’ve ever taken joy in before takes a backseat to cuddling into a soft bed for some glorious, uninterrupted shut-eye. We're. So. Tired.
6. The news
Now that we have a child, the news takes on a terrifying, threatening quality, which is why we’ve started to switch it off and watch Sesame Street or Barney instead. “Barney is a dinosaur from our imagination…” Phew, we feel better already.
7. Using words with consonants
Suddenly all words have been replaced with variations of vowels like “Oooo!” and “Aaaah!” and “Ooh-ee-ahh-ooo.” Well our baby understands us perfectly!
8. Pretty clothes
Why bother? Before long they’re going to be covered in a cocktail of baby puke, leaky boobs and God knows what else anyway. Nope, we’re happy with easy-to-wash jumpers and leggings for the time being thanks.
Can you relate mummas? What went out the window for you as soon as you became a mum? We’d love to hear your experiences.
