Things you believed BEFORE you had kids

[mariolatry]

Before I had kids I thought infants were the greatest thing ever and older kids were boring. *snort* Infants are fun for babysitting, not so fun for getting up all night, getting puked on, etc. Older kids are interesting and fun. They're always learning and developing.

Before I had kids I believed that how a child acted in public was directly related to parenting skills. When I saw a child whining or throwing a fit, I immediately thought "Oh, I wouldn't put up with that. Why doesn't that mom just whup his little butt?"

Before I had kids I thought I had a really stressful life. *snort* There is no stress like worrying why your infant hasn't pooped in 20 days or why your 3-year-old has a fever that won't go down or why you and your husband can't seem to have any real time together anymore. Now I wonder why I wasn't constantly enjoying all that free time and money I had.

 

[PolyndianPrincessJes]

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.

Me, too!! My nephew always has dried food or snot on his face. I bite my tongue and give him a quick swipe with a wipe (yes, that would be a wipe swipe ).

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

Amen, sister, I've been doing this on A LOT lately!!

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.

Sigh...


Never thought I'd want to learn to sew. Thought nothing would be more important than "me time." I'm now totally ok with hitting our local consignment sale for kids' stuff (I was so anti-used items before). Oh, and Saturday mornings aren't for sleeping in anymore.

 

[Explodo]

I think the jeff Foxworthy bit about the parental tryst is the funniest thing I've watched post kids.

I always thought parents had the time to do anything they wanted...kids seem to have a sixth sense that lets them know when mom and dad are up to no good.

Before kids...I had no idea kids had this ability.

 

[Mermaid02]

Before I had kids I didn't believe in ADHD- I thought it was merely bad parenting. That came back and bit me on the ***bleep***

 

[WeLoveLilo05]

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

lol I just want some privacy when I used the potty!
And of course I'd like some sleep.

 

[Mermaid02]

lol I just want some privacy when I used the potty!
And of course I'd like some sleep.

Even the dog comes in when I'm in the bathroom! LOL

 

[mom22belles]

Before I had kids I believed Barney, Teletubbies and Baby Eisntien videos where a mindless waist of time sent too us by the devil to rot our kids brains. Now I know they are a great blessing that allowed me to wash , get dressed and on a really good day put on some mascara!

 

[Kit'smommy]

Before I had my son, I believed I knew what it was like to completely and truly love another human being.

Don't get me wrong, I love DH, but the way I feel about my son is amazing.

 

[Explodo]

Before I had kids I believed Barney, Teletubbies and Baby Eisntien videos where a mindless waist of time sent too us by the devil to rot our kids brains. Now I know they are a great blessing that allowed me to wash , get dressed and on a really good day put on some mascara!

Add the Wiggles to that list.

 

[hulagirl87]

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

oh man - I totally agree with this...and I'm only 6 weeks in!

 

[mariolatry]

I believed that having kids would not change my sex life.

What? So maybe I wasn't that bright.....

 

[PaulaSB12]

If you want something really funny here is one. I actually was suprised to find anything solid in a nappy! I honestly thought only liquid would come out because that is after all what they where fed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! How daft can you get?

 

[lovesmurfs]

Before I had kids I believed Barney, Teletubbies and Baby Eisntien videos where a mindless waist of time sent too us by the devil to rot our kids brains. Now I know they are a great blessing that allowed me to wash , get dressed and on a really good day put on some mascara!

Yep. You got it. My kids were of the early Barney era. When DS was born, I swore he'd never watch it, but I quickly realized that something that entertains the kids AND teaches them to put their toys away and brush their teeth couldn't be all that bad!

 

[MushyMushy]

Before I had kids I didn't believe in ADHD- I thought it was merely bad parenting. That came back and bit me on the ***bleep***

YES, me too!

I just cringe when I hear people say that now and don't even try to correct them. It's not worth the fight because many people won't believe it until they've actually experienced it.

 

[Mandychelle79]

Before I had Kids

I couldnt figure out why parents wouldnt just stop shopping and leave with the kid when they were acting up. Now I know its because youve been dreading taking said child to store for weeks and have no food left in the house

That ADHD was a crutch and Id never medicate my child ( dd has primarily inattentive adhd and is on adderall for her sake and mine)

That my dd would NEVER wear the color pink, its her favorite color

That my kids would be potty trained by the age of 2. DD trained right around 3 and we are still working on getting ds to poop on the potty ( welcoming all suggestions however please dont be offended if i say weve done it already)

My kids would not be picky eaters, ( i dont make seperate meals but they can make pbj's if so desired)

My kids would be great at sports ( my dd is the most uncooridinated, non competitive person I know)

 

[disneyaddicted]

Before I had kids I swore I would never shop for their clothes at a yard sale, but when I saw how fast they grew out of the cute $20 Oshkoshbgosh outfits and that I could get that same outfirt at a yard sale for $2, my kids became the best dressed infants ever. Of course once they were older it was harder to find lightly used outfits at yard sales.

 

[Tinkermommy]

I didn't believe in telling your kids "Because I said so." I thought you should take the time to explain things to your little ones eager and inquisitive mind.

After about 20 questions though, it's my favorite phrase!

 

[Becky2005]

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!!!!

Sounds like my whine when things aren't going well and I say to DH "I want to go home" (while sitting at home) -- DH's answer is "You are home, this is as good as it gets".

Now that I think of it, those comments usually come out after having had dealt with not the best behaved children in the world and drats, no one is coming home to take over for me.

 

[Mrs. Charming]

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

Haha I thought that too... yeahhhh right!! It's the most stressful and busy job I ever had! But the best.

 

[Becky2005]

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.

OR nowadays -- as soon as I go upstairs & sit down in my computer chair! I'm convinced there is some hidden "Mommy" button the MINUTE I sit down here when they are home. I can be standing there talking to them for HOURS -- they need nothing...I sit down and it's like they have no brain cells anymore to handle the smallest of tasks.