To ask what things that pre children you would have seen as essential have now become a luxury?

[1moreRep]

Last night on my way home from work i popped into next and treated myself to £88 worth of pyjamas / slippers / dressing gown. I am sick of being freezing and looking like a bag lady when at home. Pre children i would not have thought twice about this but for some reason now it feels like a luxury.

Non stained, matching pjs without holes have become a luxury.

AIBU to a) treat myself and b) ask what things pre children you wouldn't bat an eye about getting / doing have now become a luxury?

Holidays on my own. I used to be able to afford a cheap break on my own, and my dh was quite content for me to go off for a few days and explore some random place. Now, I couldn't bear the though of leaving the kids, plus all my money goes on family stuff.

As others have said, sleep, personal grooming, sex whenever and wherever, time to read, etc. Spontaneous nights out, going to the movies, it's a long list. Tbh though, they are kids for such a short time, it's a sacrifice worth making for me, I'll be able to travel and go to the movies again in a few years. And the lovely things you gain in turn are immeasurable. Taking a bath with my toddler, breastfeeding my newborn, sleepy hugs, spontaneous kisses and cuddles, there is so much love and affection in our home now with these kids, it's worth all the stuff I've given up.

New clothes and sleep

My independence. If I want to do something now I have to either take the DC or prearrange it with DH, so he then looks after the DC. That then means he can't do anything....

My evenings, I'm up quite a bit in the night with DC3 so by the time the DC are in bed I'm normally falling asleep.

Holidays to exciting places, Facebook holiday photos from child free friends make me very jealous.

Moisturiser and foundation

Oh yes, Sunday papers!

Going shopping and trying things on. I need new brown boots, I had a fabulous child free at the start of this week and actually got to try boots on. (Failed to find any that were comfy and suited me, but trying that many failures would mean a lot of ordering on line and popping into the post office on the way to work to return them).

Pre-children the idea of buying boots (or any fitted clothing) without trying them on would seem ridiculous, now it's normal.

I do most of these things. Not all. I always did. Even when ds's were very small.

Having babies and toddlers calling you all the time, is tiring, draining, wears you down.

But some of these posts don't need to be so. Some things, like having a bath, or buying socks or pyjamas, I don't really understand why this isn't being done?

@Verily1 why can't you wear them now?

@exLtEveDallas have you tried brastop? Much cheaper