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…)

Looking outside and the weather is shit and I think "I can't be arsed to go out today"... Then my 1.5 year old DS comes and hands me his wellies and then fetches my boots and looks at me all hopeful, wanting to go out. So I reluctantly take him out, end up meeting some really nice mums I've never met before at a drop in play group, and having an amazing coffee and cake at the cafe there and DS eats his lunch while happily people watching. Sometimes you just have a really nice day and it's all thanks to being a mum.

Well I've got children who I love, who love me, who I see growing up into considerate, well mannered young people and who I enjoy spending time with. I wouldn't think for a minute that having children destroyed my life, it's a horrible thing to say.

A stash of smarties and chocolate buttons.

Much more love and laughter, my children have me in stitches daily, whether intentionally or not!
You get to play in the mud, play with Lego, splash in puddles......basically pretend be a child again.
Everything is more uncertain they can have Crazy ideas and suggestions which you do because there's no reason not to but you'd never have thought of yourself in a million years.
Pride, that feeling when they sing, or perform or achieve something is like no other.
All in all life is just better.

Though it's also much much more tiring

Discovering that babywipes are for everything. You get to buy the toys you always wanted but never got for Christmas.

The best bit is the total loss of dignity. After you've had a group of people stare at your nether regions while you possibly pooped in front of them or accidentally flopped your boob out a few million times, you become invincible. Nothing embarrasses you anymore. Compete in the mums race? Sure. Sing the hokey cokey in public? Ok. It's all good.

My youngest is nearly 3, I will miss the buggy when shopping. gets dolly trolly out

You may be able to stop working if you want.

Christmas is so great again that I actually started crying last Christmas eve with excitement! I couldn't wait to see their faces.

I am also a more patient person and appreciate things more, definitely not as selfish as I was. I think I am very lucky to have them.

haven't read rest of thread, but the first two pages made me laugh and well up at the same time

do you think that people are saying this to you because you have unmanageable expectations of how a child "fits" in with your existing lifestyle? Sometimes it is the way that people without children or intending to have children can patronise those of us with children...oh I wouldn't let that stop me doing x y z, I'll just get a babysitter, wear elegant clothes, take him to parties, meal plan, tidy, clean, be organised, continue with my incredibly high powered job. I think that's when you want to say to someone, you wait till you find out what it is really like. I don't think it is meanness more an irritation with these blithe prognostications..

Shopping trips are much less dull. :)

Giggling at silly things they say.

Cuddles

Feeling accomplished when they learned something you were trying to teach them.

Generally having one more person in your life that you love is always a good thing.

Going to the cinema to watch a PG film.

When your teenager drapes his arm around you and calls you a short arse.

can't think of any. I suppose I get to raid their Halloween candy? Didn't get that opportunity before with no children.

Walking into a room, your pre-teen shouts You Do Not Know the Power of the Happy Side and dances around in his pants.

Walking along the road with a little hand in yours.....the best feeling ever

DS is 3 and is hilarious. I was singing nursery rhymes yesterday, he told me to stop, with a big sigh. I'm a bad singer but how does he know that??? He makes me laugh every single day.
Having him has put everything into perspective. I want to be the best person I can be, just for him.
And when he stops playing, just like that, randomly, to run and give me a massive cuddle.
He makes me proud, he's everything I ever wanted, his wee cheek next to mine and arms around my neck can make anything better. He's made a stronger person, I am better organised now and I don't sweat the small stuff anymore.

*made ME a stronger person

Being able to stay in on an evening: not feeling like you should be out on the tiles.
Cuddles.
Being able to take things more slowly without having such a packed agenda on eg weekends.
Being able to learn things through non highbrow methods.
Having an excuse for being messy/late etc.
Feels grown up, I think people take you more seriously as a parent for some reason.

I forgot to listening to him breathing when he sleeps. It's the most therapeutic thing ever. If I'm feeling anxious about something, I just go into his bedroom, sit in the dark and listen to the deep sleep breathing. And then I can stroke his hair and his lovely soft cheek. And he reminds me that really nothing else matters.
Disclaimer: I am not a soppy person in RL

I was told constantly when I was pregnant I won't cope as I was going to be on my own

I coped very well I didn't find it that hard I don't mean to sound smug I had an easy contended baby and you might too

Yes I was more tired but nothing absolutely nothing compares to the feeling of the pure love you have for your children and the wonderful pride you feel

And you smile and laugh at the things they do intentionally funny or not they constantly entertain

And no one loves you quite like your child does

Plus hours of fun with Lego, going to wildlife parks, cinema, watching The Muppets and The Flintstones

I'm way more organised and run my house like a military operation. I used to be really scatty and unprepared for everything.

I think when you are pregnant you just think about the fact that you are going to have a baby. But you are having a person. A baby, a toddler, a child, a teenager and then an adult. My DC are both adults now and they are my favourite people in the world. I not only love them but I really really like them too.

The laughter they have brought to my life is immeasurable. From the daft things they did when they were little to the hilarious things they send me on Whatsapp now, they have always made me smile and often belly laugh. Quite simply they have made my life much happier.

Without reading others replies

Baby feet
The baby smell
The cuddles
Watching your teen turn into a wonderful adult
Having funny and heartfelt conversations
Xmas
Laughter
Fun

But mainly, love, pure love. Heart-bursting never felt that kind of love before.

They have no ruined my life at all. They have added to it and made everything more special and worthwhile. Yes it can be tough, sometimes bloody miserable during a bad period, but the positives and love vastly outweighs it all.

I exercise and eat better now, the former because it's me-time and the latter because their diet has to be good too.

I'm more on top of the housework - because I have to be.

I've got stacks more patience than I had before.

I've a better sense of perspective than I had before.

I enjoy rare nights out more now - because they're so rare.

Revising old childhood favourites is great fun - I'm currently getting them into The Lion The Witch & The Wardrobe and The Worst Witch.

*revisiting

Aw! This is lovely.

I had a good few "just you wait" comments and I used to wonder what on earth the point was.

I found the tiny baby stage hard and was pleased to get back to work. HOWEVER, I remember realising that no day was ever so dreadful that a smile or a cuddle or a cute look couldn't make me swell with love.

I love it when she instinctively reaches her hand out for me.

This morning when she left for the childminder and I was curled on the sofa with a bug she sidled up and gave me a 'get well soon' sticker. When she came in tonight she rushed in and immediately asked if I was feeling better.

I am another who swells with pride when she is polite and says please and thank you nicely. Like at Christmas dinner at my in laws when she was just turned 2. She took a very adult sip of her water and said quietly to herself "mm, that water real yummy"