Things I’ve learned since becoming a mom…
1. Even the most closed-off person who doesn’t like to talk about bodily functions will now find it socially acceptable to not only talk about a baby’s gaseous issues (how much they fart!), but poop. And not just in a passing sense – but in detail… including consistency, frequency and color. (I’ve noticed that it’s no longer “taboo” to me, and I’ve been known to forget that to some people it’s still quite gross, and bring it up at really bad times… like during dinner!)
2. A compliment about my children can bring a smile to my face and is more meaningful to me than a compliment about myself. Actually, a compliment about my kids is a compliment to myself.
3. That hearing stories of bad things happening to kids can rip your heart to shreds even more so now than B.C. (before children) because now you think of how horrible it would be if anything happened to your children and how you would maim or kill anyone who dare harm a hair on your babies’ heads.
4. Your job description now includes: wiping butts, picking noses, and making chocolate chip heart-shaped pancakes (the last of the three happens to be the most tolerable, by the way!).
5. You can get away with watching cartoons and claim it’s just to spend time with the kids (Backyardigans, anyone?!).
6. Dr Seuss can fix a picky eater (The book Green Eggs & Ham has worked wonders when The Princess starts to get picky).
7. You can try, but 8 times out of 10, you will have company in the bathroom when you have to go pee.
8. You will also find yourself saying that you “have to go potty” – even when there are no children around (and I’m mortified that I’ve said it, because I always laughed at people before for doing that).
9. You will see the purpose of minivans and time-outs.
10. You will learn what the saying truly means: Having children is like having your heart walking around outside your body.
11. You will be blessed in more ways than you ever dared dream was possible.
About sarah
Very cool, very profound, and just what my tired mom friends would love to hear. Makes me look forward to having my own children some day. =) That post definitely is capable of pulling at one’s heart strings, including the ones that prompt happy tears.
Sweet. And true! When we first had our Girl, almost none of our friends had kids yet. In fact they were still in their party days/early to mid-20s. I remember we went to a St Patricks Day party one morning and I had to leave after about 2 hours there. The Man loudly announced to everyone “I have to take Emily home, she has to breast-feed the baby”. Conversation immediatly halted and everyone looked at my *swollen* chest. It was horrifying. They just weren’t ready for it. 🙂
Later I was like “Couldn’t you have just said FEED the baby!!!!” But same as you said, it become acceptable and you forget that B.C. it wasn’t.
That’s so funny! Husband announces that to people on a regular basis.
And I so love the Backyardigans. I’ll watch them without the kids!
I have to look at the bright side as I’m muddling along with sleep deprivation again – remembering the good stuff takes my mind off the fact that I’m so boggled right now! They really are a blessing – even if I haven’t slept more than 3 hours in a row for the past few weeks. Again.