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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

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

221 replies

mommabear12 · 01/04/2015 23:15

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?!!

OP posts:
Christinayangstwistedsister · 02/04/2015 19:42

What a great thread

PoppyFleur · 02/04/2015 19:43

Cuddles from DS, his laughter when we play - best sound in the world.

Watching DH with DS, he is an amazing, hands on dad & seeing them together makes me love DH even more than I already do.

Hearing DS tell my mum how much he loves her, we lost my dad suddenly 2 years ago & DS has been her reason for getting up each day.

MadameJosephine · 02/04/2015 20:03

What a lovely thread. Your moon thing brought a year to my eye mommabear how wonderful that you'll always look at the moon and think of your little one, however big they get.

I have a toddler and a teenager so get 2 lots of perks atm. Cuddles from the little one (not so many of those from her big brother these days), lovely days out with the pair of them playing together (she worships him and although it's uncool I'm sure he feels the same about her) and the opportunity to relive my student days checking out uni open days with DS was awesome.

ahfuckit · 02/04/2015 20:04

Going down the stairs on your bum. Trailing your hand against the railings. Sliding back and forth in the bath while holding on to the bath handles. Oh, and laughing like everything is joyful Smile

ChickenDipper22 · 02/04/2015 20:46

Learning who your true friends are!

smokedgarlic · 02/04/2015 20:51

An excuse to buy ham flavoured Primula ( packed lunches obv)

KwaziisEyepatch · 02/04/2015 20:57

Not having to pay for shop-made greetings cards any more!

MsRaspberryJam · 02/04/2015 20:58

Getting to act like a kid and then just shrugging at people like you are being forced into it but you're such a generous parent that you are prepared to sacrifice your dignity. Bollocks - I love running down the street and yelling at things!

Purplehonesty · 02/04/2015 20:58

Having a nap in the middle of the day as 'dd wants me to go with her' Wink

CaptainFabulous · 02/04/2015 21:03

I laugh more now in a single day than I used to in an entire week. And smile around 700% more too.

IfAtFirstUDontSucceed · 02/04/2015 21:03

Plenty!

Just from today, going to the swimming pool, doing no swimming just generally messing around. DS is two.

Singing and chattering in the street while walking to the shop, DS was pretty unresponsive, but I didnt care.

My endless supply of baby wipes wherever I go - however did I manage without them?

I'm looking so forward to our 'Good Friday Fun Day' tmorrow - hot cross buns, Easter Krispie cakes, egg painting. Guarantee that DS will have long wandered back in front of CBeebies while I'm in my element covered in paint and chocolate. :)

sleepwhenidie · 02/04/2015 21:04

Staying in with a takeaway on New Years Eve!

PsammeadPaintedTheLion · 02/04/2015 21:09

I put a hairclip in my hair today. This prompted a squeal and 'oh mummy! You soooo boootiful!'

I can live with that.

I am dreading the time when I can no longer get away with a pushchair though. Brilliant for shopping. Luckily dd2 is on the small, scrawny side so I'll be able to force her in it until she's 4 Grin

MrsSparkles · 02/04/2015 21:11

Taking tons of hand luggage when we fly:)
Having an excuse to play imaginary games for ages - I used to love it when I was young - so glad DD has inherited this!

MrsSparkles · 02/04/2015 21:12

And the sheer joy of life that children have - I love it!

cerealqueen · 02/04/2015 21:23

Spending lots of time baking, more then I ever did before DCs.

BlueChampagne · 02/04/2015 21:37

Being told I'm beautiful by DSs. Wonder how long it will last ...

BertieBotts · 02/04/2015 21:40

Definitely meeting people.

Insisting that you're tired and getting sympathy when really it's just because you stayed up late watching TV Blush (OK it doesn't work that well when your youngest is 6!)

Pushchair was definitely useful as a general trolley.

Yellowbird54321 · 02/04/2015 21:58

YY to the babysitting excuse (although to be fair it's often true in my case) and the baking.
Reading modern children's books and re-reading the books from when I was a child.
When they were young being there when they saw their first rainbow, first snow, first thunderstorm etc.
Now they are older joining in laughing at inappropriate things in a teenagery way Grin
Oh and watching various films and listening to various music that I simply wouldn't have done without them
Lovely thread Smile

BsshBosh · 02/04/2015 22:00

My DD is 6.5yo

P&C parking
Re-discovering museums, zoos, parks
Re-learning history and maths and science
Re-discovering children's books and colouring in
Good excuse to watch cartoons
Having someone to fetch things for me when I can't be arsed Grin
The buggy was very useful for carrying shopping when she was little; I went into mourning when she outgrew it (but then bought a car Grin )
Learning to bake for the first time
Learning that life doesn't actually centre around me me me
Learning how not to sweat the small stuff eg clutter (that can be tidied up at the end of the day)
Truly appreciating and making the most of child-free time

Experiencing the deepest, broadest, most amazing love for another person ever imaginable!

Such a lovely thread. It needs to go to Mumsnet Talk Classics

MamaLazarou · 02/04/2015 22:03

The opportunity to have interesting chats about things I'd never stopped to think about before. Gives you a new perspective on things.

Also: bouncy castles.

MamaLazarou · 02/04/2015 22:07

Oh, yes: colouring in! And play-doh!

suddenlycupishalffull · 02/04/2015 22:18

What a lovely thread, thank you! These are so lovely to read...
An unexpected link to my Dad, whom my DC never met, but suddenly I see his expressions flash across their faces, little habits in how he spoke that I have unknowingly passed on to my DC without realising it, my DC will suddenly refer to him when I least expect it (DGDad loved sunflowers, didnt he?). Christmas, inner child unleashed, their pure innocence & your opportunity to enjoy it all again like that, how wonderful. The freedom to let go, be silly & enjoy & laugh - soft play slides, dancing to Frozen. The freedom to express emotion publically...if DC falls over/gets upset in public it's quite liberating to be able to get on your knees in the street & cuddle & soothe until it's all better. Nursery food - pasta, icecream, fish fingers...but also eating properly, I never looked after myself before children but had to get a grip of my eating disorder in order to demonstrate healthy living for two DC. Being brave for the sake of someone else, be it walking into a scary room full of people you dont know or not showing you are frightened by illness when actually you are petrified.

GothicRainbow · 02/04/2015 22:22

Currently being able to get away with having 2 dinners as my DS insists I eat with him and I then have dinner again with DH when he gets home!

Meeting my best friend through a playgroup

DavidTennantsBeard · 02/04/2015 22:23

Dropping off to sleep in bed with my DD after a story. She is the ultimate lovely warm teddy/hot water bottle. Clock is probably ticking on this as she is 4 now!