Like any new addition to our lives, having a baby can change things in ways we never anticipate. As soon-to-be parents, even if not for the first time, you will have certain expectations of how your life will change once baby comes along: sleep deprivation, an untidy home and no social life. But even if you've had children before, a new baby can often bring with it changes you did not expect – no two babies are the same after all. Here are the top five ways a baby changes your life.
Taking things for granted
Now that you're sleep deprived and don't have a minute to yourself, the smallest of gestures now seem like grand offerings. You no longer take it for granted if someone does something as simple as making a cup of tea, let alone lending a helping hand with the laundry or cooking a meal.
Perhaps you used to take your Friday nights for granted, knowing that the whole evening was yours to do with what you wished. Now that a wee one is in your life, being given just an hour to yourself while a friend takes the baby out in the pram or someone cooks a meal can be a complete luxury that you savour each minute of.
Seeing the bigger picture
Now that a little person has come into the world and relies solely on you, its parents, your priorities, worries and outlook have a huge shake up. You no longer 'sweat the small stuff'.
Before kids, perhaps you worried about what others think of you – now all you care about is what's best for your baby. You'll stop fretting about having a show-home house or being a domestic goddess or god as all of your focus is now on your needful family. This can be such a breath of fresh air for a fulltime worry wart as it's a break from getting het up about the smallest details and allows them to start living in the moment.
Who really matters?
Babies can either make or break friendships. Sometimes out of jealousy, friends will distance themselves from you once you announce your happy news, or your needy friends can't take the lack of attention once baby comes along. Those friends who are there with gifts, words of love and support and the offer of home cooked bolognaise to go in the freezer are the ones you know are worth having. Such a huge change in your life will show you which friends are truly loyal and love you for who you are. Those who can't appreciate the absolute marathon it is to take care of a bambino just aren't worth your time.
What you really want in life
When 99 per cent of your waking (and non-waking) hours are used up by your baby, you start to realise what matters the most to you and what you want out of life. Being exhausted and not having much free time means that only your true loves will stay prominent. If you don't think twice about your pre-baby baking hobby but still manage to fit time in to blog, paint or read, then you really know what matters to you. Having a baby refines you as a person, sieving out all of the unnecessary extras and leaving behind the nuggets of gold that make you who you are.
Body confidence
After having a baby you are likely to see your body in a different way. It has been a home to your baby for nine months and as such it will have changed. Learning to value what your body is capable of and the amount of work it has done to give you a child is a healthy outlook to have.
You may lose your previous inhibitions about your body and feel more comfortable in your own skin, knowing just how brilliant it is. Even if you do feel there are certain things you would like to change, like toning your stomach, you perhaps won't feel as self-conscious about certain 'flaws' as you think “I've had a baby. I don't care what people think.”
Read more on offspringthing.com...
How to survive the first days of parenthood Dealing with the first days of being a parent
Returning to work after having a baby
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