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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

What has parenthood taught you?

127 replies

RedSky100 · 13/08/2020 19:50

Having children has often felt the me like I’m holding a mirror up to myself, where i’m reflected in all my ugliness & glory. What have you learnt since having kids & do you feel better for it or are you still in the process of learning/change?

OP posts:
LynnThese4reSEXPEOPLE · 13/08/2020 21:03

Most bodily fluids can be removed from clothing with a babywipe.

CardsforKittens · 13/08/2020 21:21

If nothing is on fire and everyone is still alive, chances are things will work out fine.

Ooooosh · 13/08/2020 21:25

That I lack patience and being a parent isn’t something that comes naturally to me.

SimonJT · 13/08/2020 22:34

I have no paternal instinct at all.
I’m not quite as selfish as I thought.

Sholmit · 13/08/2020 22:36

Only call me if there is more than a teaspoon of blood...

DramaAlpaca · 13/08/2020 22:36

That the most important thing is that children are happy.

Footlooseandfancy · 13/08/2020 22:36

That I can manage on a surprisingly small amount of sleep.

Iminaglasscaseofemotion · 13/08/2020 22:38

That I lack patience and being a parent isn’t something that comes naturally to me.

Yup this for me too.

LeafyGreen333 · 13/08/2020 22:40

That there is more time in a day than I imagined and I wish I had made more use of it before kids.

funniestpersonyouknow · 13/08/2020 22:52

@LeafyGreen333

That there is more time in a day than I imagined and I wish I had made more use of it before kids.
^ this
june2007 · 13/08/2020 22:57

Parents are soo judgemental but in the end the kids are alright.

JuneWind · 13/08/2020 23:02

That I really, really like wine...

FrenchBoule · 13/08/2020 23:04

Everything above.

“I love you’s” and hugs are free and make everybody feel better 🙂

baterwaiter · 13/08/2020 23:06

That i needed to stop at one and never agree to another whatever the clock was saying!

doingmeheadin · 13/08/2020 23:52

That the only time you'll truly feel like yourself is when you are at work/they aren't there

ConfessionsOfAChocoholic · 14/08/2020 00:07

That a childhood can pass by quickly so remember, despite the stresses, to slow down and savour some moments.

Merename · 14/08/2020 08:22

Humility. Had so many ideals, and the reality is so different/ harder than expected. Still shocks me often, how hard it is!

Also how much organisational skills play a part - and how much I have to teach myself on these.

Janek · 14/08/2020 08:43

That toast done under the grill can catch fire, and it can happen surprisingly frequently. I never lost concentration for long enough for this to happen pre-dds.

GrizzlebumsMum · 14/08/2020 10:22

That I was right when I told everyone I wasn’t cut out for it but they all told me I’d change my mind.

Notreallyhappy · 14/08/2020 10:27

Having children isn't all that..

Ardsallagh · 14/08/2020 10:29

That I am not a natural parent, and that my eight-year-old sometimes has more grace, generosity and self-possession than I do.

zigaziga · 14/08/2020 10:32

As a PP, that I can survive for years and years on very little sleep... and after a while, you get used to it and feel absolutely fine.

That I’m not as patient as I wish but that generally I am a good person and a good parent.

justanotherneighinparadise · 14/08/2020 10:34

That at the moment I’m nothing more than a pet to my youngest as he wants me with him all the time, like a dog.

userabcname · 14/08/2020 10:35

-Good sleepers are born not made. One terrible sleeper, one good sleeper. Did nothing different.

  • it's a good thing I didn't start having babies young or I'd probably have 10 by now. I absolutely love the baby stage!
OfTheNight · 14/08/2020 10:35

Sleep is more important than I ever realised! When I younger and still clubbing I often stayed out to the small hours then nipped home had a 2hour nap, dive in the shower then worked at Debenhams for 8 hours. Now I go to bed at 10 and ds gets me up any time from 4:30 and I feel constantly like death.