energy levels before and after children??

[dot1]

dp and I went to stay with our very good friends last weekend - their kids are the same age as ours - 1 and 3, in similar routines - bed at 7pm, up at 6am - 7am etc.

In the evening when all the kids were asleep we got chatting about life before and after children and I was flabbergasted when they said their energy levels were pretty much the same now as before having kids! dp and I seem to be completely exhausted most of the time - can't stay awake past 9.30pm, flop on the settee at 7.30pm.

Soooo, what are everyone's energy levels like a few years down the line? Are dp and I missing out on some vital vitamin?!!! Just wondered which was the 'norm', if there is one!

[Flum]

would say mine probably higher. I get up by 9am now at weekends. Used to sleep till about 2pm.

actually energy levels not higher just can't leave dd playing in cot in morning for longer than that as she gets bored.

[dot1]

But if you had the choice..??! Maybe it really is just us - I'd say of course we're up earlier than we used to be - who'd choose to be up at 5.30am on a Sunday?! but given the choice I think I'd be having that good old Sunday morning lie in!

I have to say I think our friends are fitter than us and that probably has a lot to do with it - although dp is pretty fit - cycles to work and walks everywhere (she can't drive ) - I'm a lazy tart who's way too unhealthy - working on it but it's a sloooow process.....

[highlander]

I'm exhausted. But my DS has only slept through twice in 8 months . And he's been getting up 5-6 times a night for the past 4 months due to a teething marathon .

I loved my life before he was born. It's very miserable now. I'm mystified at parents who say their kids complete their lives.

[Pruni]

Message withdrawn

[Posey]

Dh and I both think our age has something to do with it. We were in our late 20s when dd was born, mid 30s when ds was born. We both seemed to have far less energy.
Something we have both found hugely helpful is getting more exercise. Neither of us was particularly fit and so dh took up cycling and I do power walking. Both of us have found we have a lot more energy again.

[dot1]

We're all in our mid-30's, but Posey I agree there's something about being fit that really helps (as opposed to me who's just fat..! ).

Love love love our kids, but definitely still remember what life was like beforehand - just having energy in your brain to plan to do things - even mental energy has been drained!

[ZolaPola]

mmhh, knew there was yet another reason to get fit! Yes, we're both mid-30s too and could really do with energy boost to cope with demands of parenthood - never seem to have enough hours in the day somehow.

[ninah]

I think it's the norm to be exhausted beyond belief and either your friends were incredibly low key Before Child or they are lying or they have access to some weird magical device, maybe they take galvanic baths like Maggie T?
I am not unfit but gosh it's tiring, particularly the weekend starts

[dot1]

thanks all - makes me feel a bit better, although now feeling guilty that you all think our friends are weird - they're not, they're completely lovely!! They've always done tons of stuff with their time, before and after children - maybe that's it - before children dp and I just lazed through the years!!

[Rinkydink]

Must admit i cant remember much of what it was like before i has children! Long lazy sundays in bed, rolling in at 3am with pizza and friends, uninterrupted computer use... oh yes.... i remember now...
Think my energy levels are pretty much the same, just that BC i just did what i wanted to, now i have to to what they want me too. Probably no more or less work, just a different type!