Ways in which your life has *NOT* been destroyed since having children.

[Sortedforcheeseandwizz]

Are there any?! Can anyone tell me one thing that makes life with children better/happier/nicer than life before? (Or more than one, if you’re feeling particularly chipper today..)

Doesn’t have to be deep and meaningful, can be anything, big or small!

A combination of social media and a lot of "Just you wait!" people in my life has meant I'm starting to believe that motherhood is horrific and unmanageable. (Some big decisions ahead and having a wobble…)

ooh, you can drive singing along to Disney songs at the top of your voice and it's ok! all together now - "Let it goooo!!!! Let it gooo!!!!"

My Dh is away for work alot, and is not a natural father it has to be said. But he stands and looks at DS with a soppy smile. That makes me smile.

Yesterday, as I have put on loads of weight and am now heavier than when full term with DS I wore a maternity flowery (revolting) dress. DS came in and gasped and said; 'Mummy, you look beautiful '.

Duvet days watching Disney!

Friendship. Happiness. Sheer contentment.

I feel that my life is "complete" in a way it wasn't before, even though I'm chronically over-tired, physically wrecked and can't go off travelling (or often even out) like I did before.

Chocolate. They can't possibly eat a whole cupboard full before it goes off. It's a parent's job to help them out.

You have this little person who absolutely idolises you, and wants to be just like you. Dd is my best pal and we have so much fun together. My heart swells when she is all cute and polite and I'm so proud. She is two and she is helpful and gorgeous and lovely.

I love going to the park, going for walks int the woods, I love all the little things that she notices that I wouldn't have seen, I love her fascination with animals, I love the way she tells me she loves me, I love it when she tells me she's happy. I love the way she dramatically says goodbye and hello when she leaves and returns to the room I'm in. I love the way she 'reads' her books to me from memory. I love that she tries to copy me, and wants to be involved in everything I'm doing. Her favourite thing to say is 'me help?'. I love the way that she checks if I'm ok if I stub my toe or bang my head and the way she tries to make me better with her stethoscope and medicines if I'm poorly. Man I love my child.

I'm sorry I could go on all bloody day because she is the coolest child on the planet. Yes sometimes she acts like a brat, yes sometimes she is a handful, but it doesn't take away anything from the joy and happiness she creates day in day out in my life.

You have so so much to look forward to op.

'Just you wait' - it's all bollocks.

First trimester - 'Just wait till the third, it's horrendous'

6 months - 'Just wait till he's one'

Crawling 'Just wait till he's walking '

Walking - 'Just wait till he's talking'

GCSE'S - 'Just wait till uni' etc etc

Ad infinitum.

Cuddles, horrible histories - actually children tv once they get bit older can be fun and educational and children movies well pixar ones, watching them grow and learn new thing, lego, colouring books, when they make you laugh and parks.

I'm sure there are more.

Up there best moments of my life DS turning to me in restaurant and saying he loved me and cuddling me absolutely bursting with happiness - I picked completely right for his birthday - or telling me Christmas was fantastic and so obviously happy after all the work he was only one to say that. The other DC are more restrained - though DD1 coming running our of school and nearly bowling me over few times- also up there.

Definitely having a pushchair so you don't have to carry stuff!

DP would say getting to play lego, cars and go in soft play.

Someone thinking you are beautiful, even when a mess. DP always tells me I am beautiful or funny or some other lovely compliment

But most of all, there's no feeling like the love. Not just loving them, but the love they have for you, being their whole world. Knowing this love is unconditional and amazing and.. I can't even describe it. Just being able to make your children feel so safe and warm that you can dry their tears and they fall asleep in your arms.. Well it's just heartwarming. In equal measures, terrifying, as you are responsible for this little person!

Also, for me, becoming much closer to my mum, understanding her alot more and understanding why she did the things she did for me as a child. And appreciating her more. She's now my friend on a whole new level, aswell as my mum.

Actually watching mine play together and look out for each other - that's pretty fantastic too. Though squabbling can and does break out.

DS always tells me I mean

Lego.
cool t-shirts.
Rock pooling.

People put me off having children for years with their off-putting comments. I wish I'd never listened to them.

You get to watch your OH become an an amazing, loving Dad that makes you love him more; the heart lift you get when your child shouts 'Mummy' with pure joy when they see you; seeing the world through their crazy eyes; their funny questions; seeing your child's face when they see something 'wow' for the first time.

Being a parent is so so much better than all the 'just you wait...' people made it sound. My only regret is listening to them and not starting a family sooner and having more children.

Being a parent is absolutely awesome and I love it. It's bloody exhausting and sometimes very hard but so so worth it.

They are a great way out of unpleasant social obligations "DC have D&V - I'm sorry we can't make it" Not only are you off the hook, people are pleased that you are not coming.

Listening to your kids discovering Abba when you used to sing along to it with your own mum is hilarious. [dancing queen on repeat less so admittedly]

Cuddles, lots of cuddles

Shopping for cute/cool clothes and wellies

Letting your kids do/eat things your parents didn't let you do that you always resented.

Hey Duggee on bbciplayer. Watch it now !! Total tongue in cheek

The hugginess... it's possible to be touched too much and I've definitely felt like that, but snuggly children hugging you is usually lovely.

Their funny words, perspectives and comments.

You can always find a pen (though it may be purple glitter).

I used to love pushing a buggy and being able to load all the stuff on it – I often wish I still could.

This is such a lovely thread. I'm about to have my first and it really does irritate me when people say 'just you wait' or 'i don't want to put you off!'. Put me off? It's a bit chuffin late for that, pal, I'm 9 months pregnant!!!

I am so done with being pregnant now, my arms just feel empty without my ds there as yet, and i just can't wait to meet him. I know my DH, who isn't really a 'kiddy' person, will be a great dad and. I am so looking forward to seeing them interact. It's the potential, the moment we go from being just us two to being a family. I've had wobbles and no doubt will again but this thread has reminded me what I have to look forward to.

I should show this to DH as i think he is still in the 'my life is ruined' phase. He'll come round

Things like doing stuff you would never otherwise do, but can do because your child is doing it, such as going on the giant inflatable obstacle course at the swimming pool. Or trying archery because your DD is learning it. Or rolling down a hill.

Also discovering all these fantastic children's books they didn't have when you were a child, like Mog the Forgetful Cat. Ditto films like Toy Story.

Being able to wear your DD's shoes because she's the same size as you.

Going clothes shopping with your DD, because she has a much better fashion sense than you do.

Every stage has crap bits and amazing bits. Over a day or a week; they may not balance out, it may be day after day of pure crap or total heaven. Over a month they will balance out. And over a year the amazing bits will massively outweigh the crap, I promise. Over a lifetime, I can't even imagine!

It is unfair when parents say "just you wait" but, sorry, there will be days where you'll have to bite your tongue not to say it to pregnant first-timers!

Watching my daughter (1 on thursday) grow and learn things over the past year has been amazing. The day I showed her how to clap her hands and she copied me was the biggest rush of love since her birth. She was an "easy" baby and I will be honest the first few months I did find a little dull (which surprised me hugely) as she just slept so much. But every day I love her more; even now when she wakes in the night several times and I'm knackered, I do get up in the morning thinking "what will she get up to today?".

Making our own family traditions. Although we're too tired this year to do much for Christmas!

Getting to go part time in a job I don't enjoy but still need some of the money.

Looking forward to all the cool things you are going to get to do with them, while simultaneously willing them not to grow up too fast...

Many others but I have to go pick DD up from nursery and find out what she's done today, then have a little play before bed. I love it at the moment!

I feel that having our ds has brought me and my dh closer, we both love watching him learning new things and growing.

Love.
Beyond any other.

It's lovely!

No more angst about your purpose in life and what you should be doing with it.

Children are very cute, esp if they are your own.

They adore you, you're their world.

No more petty arguments with DH/DP about whose turn it is to cook, how hard life is that you have to do washing at the weekend. You are far too busy for that!

Cool playmobil and lego or whatever other toys you like.

Proud moments - watching your darling angel/shepherd lisp the words to twinkle twinkle in their first nativity play, first time they ride a bike, first parents evening when they say nice things about your child... Hhhmmmph there seems to be something in my eye ...

Watching them grow and learn to do so much stuff - e.g. first time they ride a bike/swim without armbands you are so proud!

Maybe when they are grown up they will come back and visit you and bring you cute babies to dote on!

PS disclaimer - just so you don't get led up the garden path, there can also be horrendous days of never-ending grind and drudge and lack of sleep and misery and infuriation!

But it never lasts forever and if you're in a down then an up is on the way for sure ...

The smell of the tops of their heads when they are babies. It's addictive.

Big, little arms right round your neck, cuddles.

Just having such great little people in your life. It passes so fast. And you don't get it back, ever.