[private]What do you think of when you think back to the days before you had children?
Often, I think my life was a bit empty.
Sure, I was surrounded by wonderful family, I had a great group of friends, I was in school, went to University, traveled, completed internships at great television stations in the United States, and got married.
Still. Something was missing.
And this is something you realize after you have children. My children totally complete me. They were that empty void I had in my life previous to their existence. Nothing make a house a home like hearing children laugh, like seeing toys scattered about, like seeing scribbles proudly displayed on the side of the fridge.
Another discovery upon having children?
How much time I used to have on my hands! I could have completed a PhD if I wanted to, with all that ‘free’ time that is only afforded to those without children. Before kids, we were in control, for the most part, of how we would spend our day.
Now my children rule my world, and every thing, even a trip to the grocery store, has to be meticulously planned. Kids have to be dressed and fed, diaper bag has to be ready (change of clothes for both boys, bottle of milk for the baby, water for both of them, snacks, wipes, sunscreen, sun hats.) And then I have to get myself ready too. I have mastered taking a shower, puttting on make-up and getting dressed while my 16 month old is in the bathroom with me. Usually, I will give him my make-up brushes and my blush to play with, and that keeps him happy for a few minutes. All this preparation – just to go buy some milk and bread!
I’m lucky that I have a great family who help me take care of my boys – my husband, my mom, my dad, my mother-in-law, my grandmother. Because seriously? It’s a hard job! Being a mom and working full-time (whether you work from home or outside the home) is the hardest job ever. It is tiring sometimes, too, don’t you agree?
And no one knows what tired means until you have kids.
I don’t want to hear my co-worker who is in her 20′s telling me she’s tired because she had a few too many drinks the night before on a patio downtown. Getting 5 hours of solid sleep is not ‘tired’ in my book!
Tired is finally falling asleep at 3 a.m. after changing your child’s sheets because he threw up in the middle of the night several times. Tired is a result of being up all night with a restless baby who won’t fall back asleep. Tired is having to play musical chairs all night long (or, rather, musical beds) and going in and out of each child’s room because they’re calling out for you at different times of the night. (Although, I must say, I do love hearing my boys call for me… no matter how tired I am!)
It’s amazing how great moms are at time management. I have found that since having children, I’m more ‘on time’ for appointments then ever before. What irritates me is when I go out for dinner with my group of girlfriends (most of whom do not have children yet) and I’m always the first to arrive. How can this be? I am the one with the kids at home! All they had to do was get dressed! How simple is that?
So I guess what it comes down to is this – life is far more simple and relaxed without children. But life with children is what makes life worth living… every sleepless night, I count my blessings.
Who needs sleep, anyway?
Feature writer
By Loukia, mother of two boys, writer, editor and blogger at www.loulousviews.blogspot.com
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AMEN! I love this, before kids I think that we wasted so much of our time watching TV. Oh the things we should have accomplished! We are far more productive and organized now. And I have to say, as our kids have gotten older and more independent we are feeling like we have so much time now. And we are not wasting it in front of the TV either.
Turns out having kids made us smarter. HA!
Loved this Loukia…loved it!
@ Andrea: I agree with you. I was talking about this very subject with a couple of friends the other day. I had a wonderful life before having my son. If you don’t know what you’re missing, well… you don’t miss it.
Now being a mom I can’t imagine how I ever lived without him!
I remember my life before I became a mom and it was great. It’s great now, just in different ways. Life goes in phases and I am glad to experience this phase with my little guy, and will be glad to experience him growing older as well.
I don’t even remember who I was before kiddos…nice post:)
BeachMama wrote:
Oh, I sooo remember! Lazy mornings, out to breakfast, watch a movie, putter around, read a magazine, ask dh what we should do next…. LOL
Amen Sister! Great post!
Boy does that throw up thing ring a bell…two girls + 3 nights puking = One tired mama RIGHT NOW!!! Great post.
So true on the time–I can’t believe how much time I used to have and I have no idea how I squeeze everything into a day that I do. That is another reason we are so tired all the time!
Great post, I really enjoyed it
So true! Especially the last statement “life with children is what makes life worth living”. Couldn’t have said it better.
I cannot IMAGINE my life without kids now…I don’t know what I would do with myself. I know I enjoyed the lack of responsibility way back when…but dang it was boring.
oh true and I wouldn’t change a thing, my life is complete now!
Yeah you! I don’t even remember life without kids. I know I thought I was busy…I’m pretty sure I had time to read the paper?
I love your….”every sleepless night I count my blessings”
Makes a lot more sense then counting sheep;)
MM
I get annoyed when my co-workers talk about sleeping in until noon. I did not have a lot of time before kids so I guess I’m lucky that I don’t know what I’m missing out on.
I can’t even remember what I did with all my ‘free’ time before kids. Makes you wonder, eh?
Excellent post. I complete agree.