10.14.2010
A friend sent a link to the following article and I thought it was a good read for those of us who are childless and are contemplating changing that status.[1] I wanted to write my own comments under each number but that wasn't feasible. Some numbers I disagree with (like #1; I try to stop and take in a beautiful flower, sunset, rainbow etc whenever I can already), (#12; I should’ve been a doctor because bodily functions fascinate me, especially blood and wounds), (and #14. I don’t care what is said I won't become a morning person. I wasn’t even a morning person when I was a baby. Ask my mom who would wake me up.)
Forty-two things that change when you have a baby
by Rebecca Woolf
Last updated: June 2009
What changes when you have a baby? A better question may be: What doesn't change? Here, writer and mom Rebecca Woolf lists her most notable post-baby observations. Then scroll down to read our favorite comments from readers about how their babies changed their lives.
- You finally stop to smell the roses, because your baby is in your arms.
- Where you once believed you were fearless, you now find yourself afraid. [See a reader's perspective in #22, below.]
- The sacrifices you thought you made to have a child no longer seem like sacrifices.
- You respect your body ... finally.
- You respect your parents and love them in a new way.
- You find that your baby's pain feels much worse than your own.
- You believe once again in the things you believed in as a child.
- You lose touch with the people in your life whom you should have banished years ago.
- Your heart breaks much more easily.
- You think of someone else 234,836,178,976 times a day.
- Every day is a surprise.
- Bodily functions are no longer repulsive. In fact, they please you. (Hooray for poop!)
- You look at your baby in the mirror instead of yourself.
- You become a morning person.
- Your love becomes limitless, a superhuman power.
And from our readers...
- "You discover how much there is to say about one tooth." — Ashley's mom
- "You finally realize that true joy doesn't come from material wealth." — Anonymous
- "You now know where the sun comes from." — Charlotte
- "You'd rather buy a plastic tricycle than those shoes that you've been dying to have." — Sophie's mom
- "You realize that although sticky, lollipops have magical powers." — Roxanne
- "You don't mind going to bed at 9 p.m. on Friday night." — Kellye
- "Silence? What's that?" — Anonymous
- "You realize that the 15 pounds you can't seem to get rid of are totally worth having." — Brenda
- "You discover an inner strength you never thought you had." — Ronin and Brookie's mom
- "You no longer rely on a clock — your baby now sets your schedule." — Thomas' mom
- "You give parents with a screaming child an 'I-know-the-feeling' look instead of a 'Can't-they-shut-him-up?' one." — Jaidyn's mom
- "Your dog — who used to be your 'baby' — becomes just a dog." — Kara [Many readers begged to differ, saying things like, " I disagree with number 12. My dogs are my additional children," "Nothing about previous babies, whether two- or four-legged, changes when a new miracle comes along," "My dog will never be 'just a dog," and "This is sad to me. My dog is still my baby too."]
- "You take the time for one more hug and kiss even if it means you'll be late." — Tracey
- "You learn that taking a shower is a luxury." — Jayden's mom
- "You realize that you can love a complete stranger." — Dezarae's mom
- You find yourself wanting to make this world a better place. — Arizona
- If you didn’t believe in love at first sight before, now you do! — Ciara
- You start to appreciate Sesame Street for its intellectual contribution. — Anon.
- You have to quit watching the news because you see every story from a mother's perspective and it breaks your heart. — Brooke&Boys
- You just plain love life more - everything comes together and becomes better because of one tiny person and your love for them. — Anon.
- You finally find out the real reason you have those breasts. — Anon.
- In response to #2 [above], I'd say that where you were once afraid, you're now fearless. I was always very timid and shy and let myself get walked all over … but now where my kid's concerned, I'll speak my mind and really connect with my inner "b"! — gummismom
- The support you get from other people surprises you, because the people giving it are not always the ones you'd expect. — japanese_macaque
- Nothing is just yours any longer. You share EVERYTHING! — DylanLsMom
- No matter what you've accomplished in life, you look at your child and think, "I've done a GREAT job!" — Anon.
- You want to take better care of yourself for your child. — Treasor
- You can have the most wonderful conversation using only vowel sounds like "ahhh" and "oooo." — littlehulk2008
No comments:
Post a Comment