To ask if you have found any unexpected perks that come with becoming a parent?

[mommabear12]

Was just wondering as I used my default excuse for not attending another tedious fourtieth birthday party "we can't get a babysitter" (haven't even asked!). How on earth did I shirk these things before ds came along?!!

And I agree with pacific, this is a lovely thread, such a lot of nonsense this half term last couple of days that this is a joy

DH would say the ability to finish off the left-over fishfingers when he gets home from work. As the DC have got older I've had to cook more fishfinger to make sure there are always leftovers.

Parenting Club points on boots advantage card!

I'm not a mother yet (about to start IVF) so may not be in a position to qualify, but I would say the confidence to claim ownership of all school holiday times to annual leave. I was told by a colleague that now her son has started school I'm no longer allowed to book time off during holidays as she will need them all!

Lego
Disney
P&C spaces

Those warm, tired, biscuity cuddles first thing in the morning and last thing at night

Having a buggy with me at all times to hang the shopping from. How did I ever manage with just two hands?

Colouring in

Stopping for 'snack breaks' when out, great excuse for cake and tea :)
The slides at soft play
Play dough!
Always having someone there for a cuddle on a rubbish day :)
Part time work
Being able to look a bit shit, kids are tiring can't be arsed to wash hair
Satisfying the shopping urge, he always needs new clothes
Free exercise without having to motivate myself
Healthier diet, guilt forces this one
Excuse to just be silly
Reason not to go clubbing

After a really difficult day with poorly DS this thread has really given me some perspective :). Thanks OP.

The "no babysitter" thing.

Leftover dinner and dessert

Not feeling like a plonker at the panto at Christmas.

Someone who enjoys hearing sing and doesn't mind when the windows break.

Lego!
Singing in the street. I used to do it anyway, but now I get indulgent smiles and not alarmed glares.
Breastfeeding/pregnancy was a great excuse for being lazy
Museums!

Two people who laugh at my terrible jokes and (mostly) say I'm beautiful and clever.

Osirus good luck with the ivf, and tell your colleague to fuck off to the far side of fuck and then fuck off some more. She does not get to claim ownership of all school holidays, there are a myriad of reasons why someone without school age children might need school holiday annual leave. I hope you don't get that level of pigheadedness confidence when your baby/ies eventually arrive.

i pass wind whenever the need arises and then pull a face and smell my closest child's bum.

Getting on the plane first!

This might be unpopular.... but I genuinely love making costumes and crafts for theme days at school.

I can go.out looking half asleep and I get sympathetic glances instead of the scared must avoid crazy woman omes being pregnant and on crutches with a pram pretty much guarantees me a seat on public transport and the one time someone didn't move for me about three old ladies kicked off until they did!

I wear multicoloured hair bobbles with no shame! Given them occasionally by DD aged 4.

Reading roald Dahl books again.

Buying loads of cool toys and clothes.
Unreasonable amount of sweets in the house.
Going to bed early.
Yep. I'm fat and lazy.

Breastfeeding giving me think thighs!

Wriggling around on the floor with DS and generally being extremely silly is a lot of fun. Just bought a tunnel and tent from IKEA, so much fun!

People are much friendlier when you are out and about with baby. He's a great excuse to meet people, hard when you are older.

Talking to myself, but actually directed towards DS, so no more weird looks in the supermarket

Rediscovering my childhood, books, games etc. Can't wait till he's a bit older and can do sports, crafts, crayoning etc

Parking spaces. Free stuff, shopping for kids clothes, though there is lots less choice for boys.

Going on the swings

Having to be braver - there's itching like two small anxious faces looking up at you waiting for you to resolve the problem to make you go into the scary building / ask for help / drive on foreign roads etc when you might otherwise have taken the cowards way out

Itching?? Nothing!!

I have a massive trampoline in the garden - that wouldn't be quite so socially acceptable if I had no kids.
The same with the massive paddling pool and water guns in the summer.

I love days out at the zoo and farms etc too

Mine was definitely the "no babysitter" excuse when I wanted to get out of going somewhere.

I really don't know how I managed that one before children.

Being loved unconditionally by small people who think I am the best in the world: I don't think anything beats a cuddle or a kiss from a child.

Doing puzzles and colouring
Cover for talking to yourself in public
Excuse to have treats in the pantry - especially more Easter Eggs
Can get excited and go over the top at Christmas without looking like a knob
Reading kids books

And yes to baby wipes!