Things you believed BEFORE you had kids

[cybrkitn]

DD turns 6 next month. Maybe there's hope for her yet. I can hold out another year!

Maybe

DS's change only happened last Summer b/c I was laid off of my job. Prior to that, he didn't get DH or me that often. By the time we got home from work, both of us were exhausted and had no energy. On top of that I had to make dinner. By the time we were done it was about an hour before DS's bed time

Now that I'm home, DS gets more of me and I love spending the time with him. Looking back, I realize that his tantrums/meltdowns were a cry for attention; he wanted more of me. Our relationship has changed so much for the better that I'm glad I decided to become a SAHM. It's been so worth it

 

[crz4mm2]

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.

Amen.

 

[Sgt Mickey]

love these soooo true

 

[laurafergie]

second[/B] child"
-- that my first child's perfect behavior was the result of my fabulous parenting skills

Amen to that!

We had DS23 when we were very young and he was THE BEST baby and small child you could want. We patted ourselves on the back and felt sorry for all the other parents that couldn't control their children.

The came DD19 She brought new meaning to "Difficult Child" Love her to death, but she is the most intense person I know. She has completely brought me to my knees more than once.

Now that we are to number 5 - we are just numb.

 

[CaliforniaDreamin]

I had so much trouble sleeping at the end of my pregnancy for dd1. I remember thinking, 'I can't wait for this baby to come out so I can get a full nights sleep.'
What was I thinking? DD is now nearly 8 and I haven't had a full nights sleep since she was born.

My niece said the exact same thing when she was in her 9th month. I had to laugh at her. I may have hurt her feelings, but I didn't mean to. It was just so naive.

 

[DBL101]

I didn't realize how much a parent worries about a child when they don't know where the child is. Especially when they're late. I owe my mom a lot of apologies for this one.

 

[CaliforniaDreamin]

I didn't realize how much a parent worries about a child when they don't know where the child is. Especially when they're late. I owe my mom a lot of apologies for this one.

LOL, I have apologized to my dad a billion times and I still feel horrible. And that was before cell phones. Sometimes I would come home right about the time his alarm clock went off at 5 am. I don't know how he dealth with it. He really should have read me the riot act. Oh, and this was after I graduated and still at home. I worked from 3-11, then went out with my friends til 3 or 4 or 5 in the morning.

 

[Mandychelle79]

I haven't bothered to close the door for years.


A slight variation...

"something I believed before I had my second child"
-- that my first child's perfect behavior was the result of my fabulous parenting skills

Ditto Then Alex came. And we decided the world couldnt handle another Alex, so no more kiddos for us.

 

[krcit]

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***

My DH always used to say that ADHD was mostly poor parenting until we went away with our good friends whose ds has it. He 'gets' it now.

 

[disney1990]

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.

This is so true. 2 children raised in the same family with the same parents and they can be SSSSOOOOOOO different.

 

[Daisy&Max]

Before I had kids, I thought I would never want to leave my kids alone or with a babysitter. I thought that when I got home from work I would want my kids all over me and sitting on my lap and playing with me. LOL

Now there are days I want to run away and never come back. I get home at night and wish they WOULD leave me alone.

I also thought that I would never question why I had kids? there are days when I wonder what the heck was I thinking! I do love my kids so never fear!

Oh and I thought that since I teach special education students that my kids would be perfect. Apparently when you teach special ed you are given your own Special needs kids.

Daisy

 

[MushyMushy]

Amen to that!

We had DS23 when we were very young and he was THE BEST baby and small child you could want. We patted ourselves on the back and felt sorry for all the other parents that couldn't control their children.

The came DD19 She brought new meaning to "Difficult Child" Love her to death, but she is the most intense person I know. She has completely brought me to my knees more than once.

Now that we are to number 5 - we are just numb.

You sound like my sister (although not with #5... she's done ).

Her first child was a joy and so easy. She used to be so judgmental about my parenting with my problem child and was so smug when her daughter was so easy to raise. Then 10 years later along came HER problem child. Holy mackerel, that kid is all kinds of BADDD to the bone. When she complains to me, I just bite my lip and think "see! you see!"

 

[disneycruising]

Oh and I thought that since I teach special education students that my kids would be perfect. Apparently when you teach special ed you are given your own Special needs kids.

Daisy

I love this. Who better to give them to.

I always pictured 'perfect kids'. Well I got: #1-DD with Asperger's & ADD, #2- DS with life threatening food allergies, #3- DS lifet hreatening food allergies and #4-DD with dyslexia.

I just keep reminding myself that GOD only gives you what you can handle.

 

[Liberty Belle]

My kids were always going to be squeaky clean, not a hair out of place, and wearing the most stylish outfits. Didn't happen.

 

[DVC-Don]

.....

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

......

I did the SAHD thing for 7 years and I remember looking forward to nap time much more than the kids did. I NEEDED MY NAP!!!! and got cranky if I didn't get MY NAP! Dang they wore me out (and my jeans from crawling around on the floor with them).

 

[rainydayplay]

The crazy hair on other kids doesn't bug me - it;'s on MY kids.

However, the dirty, snotty faces and dirty clothes on other kids bugs me just as much as if it were my kid, though!

My younger son - he's 3 - has such gorgeous hair and I LOOOOVE how he looks with it a little longer/shaggier (looks like a hockey player!) but since it's so long now (just on top and it kind of flops over his eyes), it can get really shaggy really quick. So yeah, yesterday he would out and about sporting quite the "do since I didn't brush it right away after his bath and it dried all funny!

I can relate to that...I don't think I notice other people's kids' hair...but when mine comes out and it looks like it's never seen a comb...I'm absolutely horrified. The only good thing about the ballet recital...so much gel and hairspray in the hair then...no way a strand is getting out of place. Of course...then you have to wash it out...

 

[Sgstuckey]

Please don't think I am terrible, but before I had kids I believed...

that I never wanted any children. My mom died when I was young, and I just thought I would not/could not be a good mom since I had had no role model. I just never pictured myself as a mom and a wife.

They are the greatest gifts I have ever been given. I am so glad I was wrong. My life would have been incomplete without them.

I try to remember that when they are driving me crazy!

 

[MushyMushy]

Please don't think I am terrible, but before I had kids I believed...

that I never wanted any children. My mom died when I was young, and I just thought I would not/could not be a good mom since I had had no role model. I just never pictured myself as a mom and a wife.

They are the greatest gifts I have ever been given. I am so glad I was wrong. My life would have been incomplete without them.

I try to remember that when they are driving me crazy!

I don't think you're terrible. I felt the same way, but for a different reason. My mother and I had a pretty bad relationship and I was worried that I wouldn't have a good relationship with kids. I am so glad I was proven wrong.

 

[lukenick1]

Before I had kids I used to think it was horrible if a parent slapped their kid.....
now I totally understand why!!!!
Don't flame me, I don't slap my kids but sometimes they make me want to.

 

[goofyernmost]

Before I had kids I used to think it was horrible if a parent slapped their kid.....
now I totally understand why!!!!
Don't flame me, I don't slap my kids but sometimes they make me want to.

Heck, my kids are 36 and 34, respectfully and I can remember when they were babies, that I could completely understand baby shaking and even abuse that came from frustration. I didn't do any of that, but it was really clear to me that if someone were on the edge of mental control that the behavior of small children could push them over the top.

Not a forgiveness sentiment, just an understanding one. It is still terrible and should be severely punished, but I can understand where it comes from. It is true that some people just should not have children, they aren't able to control themselves to the degree that is necessary. And brother, is it ever necessary.