Things you believed BEFORE you had kids

[Sgt Mickey]

who ever came up with the slogan m and m melts in your mouth not in your hands NEVER met my kids and the places m and m's have melted

 

[Sgt Mickey]

I guess I am the only one with kids

 

[happygirl]

Before I had kids, I would see kids in stores with dirty faces, hands dirty clothes and think OMG people clean your kids up. They are in public. Now I totally understand and can relate to those same people.

 

[MushyMushy]

Before I had kids I believed that their behavior was a reflection on their parenting. Boy did my oldest force me to eat crow on that one. I don't blame myself for his behavior problems growing up, and on the flip side I don't take credit for my daughter being so well behaved.

They are who they are. All you can do is guide them and give appropriate punishments and rewards and be consistent.

 

[iwrbnd]

Before I had kids I thought being a SAHM would be more relaxing than working all day!

 

[Sgt Mickey]

Before I had kids, I would see kids in stores with dirty faces, hands dirty clothes and think OMG people clean your kids up. They are in public. Now I totally understand and can relate to those same people.

Good one or who would let their kids go out wearing THAT okay that was me many times

 

[Sgt Mickey]

Before I had kids I thought being a SAHM would be more relaxing than working all day!

so true.
I just wish dh learned that

 

[DVCLiz]

I was a MUCH better parent before I had actual children lol. I had done a lot of neighborhood babysitting and I was very comfortable with how easy it was to sit and read a magazine while a baby took a nap, feed it an already prepared bottle and change the occasional diaper. Just when I got bored a grownup came home and I got money - sweet!

I thought parenting was mostly going to be like that. Hello, rude awakening!!! I will say that I handled the infant stage pretty easily, like almost everyone does, but the whole "this is your responsibility and no one is coming over and paying you to go home and have a carefree life" really didn't sink in for a while!!!!

Of course, now I'm a perfect parent like everyone else on the DIS and beyond...

 

[joviroxx]

Before I had kids, I thought I was patient!! LMFAO!

 

[cinmell]

Before I had kids, I would see kids in stores with dirty faces, hands dirty clothes and think OMG people clean your kids up. They are in public. Now I totally understand and can relate to those same people.

Same here!

Before I had kids I believed that their behavior was a reflection on their parenting. Boy did my oldest force me to eat crow on that one. I
They are who they are. All you can do is guide them and give appropriate punishments and rewards and be consistent.

DITTO!

Before I had kids I thought being a SAHM would be more relaxing than working all day!

So true!

 

[Sgt Mickey]

Of course, now I'm a perfect parent like everyone else on the DIS and beyond...

of course we are

 

[Motherofboys]

so true.
I just wish dh learned that

When I "stayed at home" (in addition to being pregnant, having kids, and going to college/law school) my DH worked and said my being a "SAHM" was like an "extended vacation".

My DH became a SAHD when I started my career five years ago. After about 6 months I reminded him to stop complaining about how hard it was, it was an extended vacation after all!

Now he swears that being a SAHD is so much harder than working outside of the home, me going to work is like a vacation from the kids/house duties. I just can't win

Before I had kids I believed that I would never answer my kids nonstop "Mom, mom, mom" with WHAT??!! In that crabby, exasperated voice that was just like my mom's.........yeah, I do that a lot and I sound exactly like her

 

[Explodo]

I thought I was going to be my kids best friend, turns out they don't need a best friend, they need a parent.

 

[mking624]

Before I had kids, I thought I'd still be able to get plenty of sleep.

DS' naptime is coming up soon...thank goodness. Hello bed!

 

[Minnesota!]

Before I had kids I swore I didn't believe in co-sleeping or spanking. I learned different!!

I will admit, I still will not let my kids go out in public with dirty hands, face, clothes, snotty nose or crazy hair. THAT still drives me insane.

However, I do let them pick their own outfits. As long as it fits and is clean...they can wear it.

 

[M5ward]

I always envisioned that when my kids grew up life would be peaceful and serene. WRONG!! The truest expression is:

​

"Little kids, little problems, Big kids, BIG PROBLEMS!!"

 

[cybrkitn]

Before I had kids I thought being a SAHM would be more relaxing than working all day!

ITA! I became a SAHM last Summer after being laid off. I figured, "Great! Now I can FINALLY get the house cleaned up and in order!" Then once that was done, it would be light cleaning and relaxing. However, I find that I'm always cleaning the house, but at least it's not as bad as it was when I was working. But it does look like a tornado came through on the weekends when DH and DS are home

On the bright side, I now get to spend more time with DS7 and participate in his school events.

ETA: Before DH and I had our son, I thought it would be easy disciplining. Boy was I wrong (major Mommy melt-downs)! DS was born very stronged willed. It lasted from the time he was born until the age of 6. Since turning 7 last year, he's so different and I very rarely need to discipline him now. He's growing up and maturing

 

[*pixie*dust*]

Before my son arrived I believed:

1. Going to the bathroom all by myself was a right not an occasional treat.

2. Preparing to go to the store didn't involve packing a bag and an itinerary.

3. It was possible to always parent calmly and logically.

4. I would never use the words "Because I said so --that's why!"

5. 8 hours of sleep a night was normal not a luxury.

6. I would never bolt out of bed in a panic if I DID get 8 hours of sleep in a
row, thinking something was wrong with my DS because he didn't need
something in the night. lol

 

[Tink888]

Before I had kids I believed I was busy and didn't have any time. I look back now and think how much free time I actually had and how much more I could've done with it.

 

[lovesmurfs]

Before my son arrived I believed:

1. Going to the bathroom all by myself was a right not an occasional treat.

2. Preparing to go to the store didn't involve packing a bag and an itinerary.

3. It was possible to always parent calmly and logically.

4. I would never use the words "Because I said so --that's why!"

5. 8 hours of sleep a night was normal not a luxury.

6. I would never bolt out of bed in a panic if I DID get 8 hours of sleep in a
row, thinking something was wrong with my DS because he didn't need
something in the night. lol

SOOOOOOO....true, particularly #1! My kids (DD10, DS16) STILL do this to me. Seems no one wants me until I close the door to the bathroom.