What things in your life have you “lost” since becoming a mom? I didn’t think I had changed my lifestyle all that much since having children until I actually sat down to make a list.
In my BC (Before Children) days I was a primary school teacher. Working everyday with some fabulous little people and some equally enjoyable adults. Days went by and going through the motions of planning, preparing, teaching and assessing were just part of my daily life. Yet I still managed to exercise, go out with my other half, and do all those leisurely things that couple do with their time. No here I am, without a paying job, with three small people to care for and yet can’t fit all that in!
Here is my list of things that I used to take for granted…and that I’ve lost!
- movies that aren’t made by Disney or Pixar
- long romantic dinners
- spontaneous drinks out (actually spontaneous anything!)
- staying up late and not worrying about a potential sleepless night because one of the children may need something at 3am
- lazy weekend ly ins (see number4)
- reading a book uninterrupted
- craft supplies left on the table for whenever you have a free moment (children annihilate any craft supplies)
- watching what you like on telly
- talking on the phone interruption free
- The freedom of a Double income ( I am a SAHM and boy do I miss earning a salary!) between 2 people.
- being able to do all your laundry on one day ( I have to do it almost daily or I drown in the flood of clothes needed for 5 people each week)
- talking to my husband without having to stop to attend to one or more of the children
- tidy and clean house that stays that way for more than an hour
- quiet
- things left where I put them and packed away after use
- clutter free bathroom (bath toys are both a blessing and a hindrance)
- Storage space- all our storage is filled with stuff you need for kids, extra bedding, winter clothes, toys, books…
- a short grocery list that does not include kiddie favourites like nuggets and fish fingers
- cooking one meal for myself and husband (without moans from anyone)
- doing my hair and makeup alone or actually doing it at all!
- going to the toilet or showering alone. I swear my toilet seat has a silent alarm that alerts the children the moment my butt hits the seat
- clean walls (seriously!) I can’t remember ever having to wipe down walls before having kids, now I feel like the house could do with a paint annually!
- having my husbands full attention and being his focus
- booking and going on holidays without checking what the destination has to offer for children
- feeling like a holiday is a holiday because you have no demands made on you
- traveling without prams, car seats, 100 ( OK so I exaggerate) nappies, worrying about food in a foreign country
- shopping without multiple trips to the toilet (for the kids)
- shopping without anyone whingeing, whining, begging for stuff, asking for food, asking for drink
- BROWSING! I used to enjoy wandering around the shops ‘just looking’.
- exercising whenever without having to put in place a plan worthy of a military invasion just to do it
- not needing a babysitter ever and linked to this-not paying twice for an evening out (just the cost of the food and entertainment)
- Adult company everyday
I am sure that there are more but I was surprised enough that once I actually gave it thought, there were so many! Some days, when the kids are being extra hard work, I do miss one or more of the items from the list.
But while making this list, I also made a list of things I have gained…and my decision? I wouldn’t change a thing! And I have written another post about it. 🙂
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I am a preschool and primary school teacher and mum to 3 children. I have been involved in education since 1997 and have trained in a variety of educational specialist areas. It is with this expertise that I write articles to help parents and educators provide quality learning experiences for the children in their care.
