What do you wish you'd done before having children?

[MrsFogi]

Is there anything you wish you'd done/done more of before having children and are now going to have to wait, until they are a bit older/have flown the nest, to do? I ask in an attempt to keep my chin up while ttc. I seem to be putting my life on hold (e.g. not organising skiing hols until the last minute just in case, not changing jobs so I don't lose maternity benefits etc.) and as I've been ttc for 19 mths now I figure I should maybe use this time to do things that I (or dh + I) won't be able to do once we succeed (fingers, toes and everything crossed!). So someone please give me some ideas for big or little plans that wouldn't be possible with kids to take my mind of ttc and to get on with life in the meanwile!

[Sallie]

Nothing really. Love having kids and wish I had started earlier really....

[bakedpotato]

learned to drive
pre-dd, we did lots of stuff on the spur of the moment. going away for the weekend, nice hols etc, but also just ringing each other at 5 and saying 'see you in the pub at 7.' sob
spontaneity is the main thing i miss

[Sallie]

Do wish that I had thought about children a bit more when considering careers as have ended up in one of the least family friendly careers possible - city law!

[homemummy]

I wish that we'd got the house in perfect condition. In fact, we didn't even buy a house until i was 3 months pregnant, and then devoted all our energy and funds to the new baby. It is only in the past year that we've started to buy decent furniture and get the rooms in order. I wish we'd done that before we had a baby.

I think it is really hard to tell someone to enjoy and appreciate their freedom and spontaneity because you only get a real appreciation for these things when you have a child and aren't able to them as often.

What small pleasure it is to read Sunday papers in bed. To wake up without an alarm clock (or baby calling mummy!) To spend the whole of Sunday sitting in a smokey pub getting drunk. To spend an afternoon browsing in a clothes shop. To decide to eat out on the same night you make the decision.

It's the little things you miss but you cannot appreciate quite how much until you have those things taken away.

[MrsDoolittle]

I had a friend in your position. Her life was 'on hold'. Eventually she went for the job she wanted, settled into it and conceived.
Make sure you are really fit. I remember how fit and toned I was before I became pregnant and ruefully haven't got back to it!

[surfermum]

Pelvic floor exercises.

[lavender2]

nothing because always wanted children from an early age and will do the things when they have left home, like travelling and stuff (know that dh and I will appreciate it much more having had to wait for them)...just don't have any regrets.

[mummytummy]

Appreciated how good my figure was before having children. Also, would have liked to have won the lottery.

[mummytummy]

Lavender2, that's lovely.

[lavender2]

[AussieSim]

Learned to surf
Learned to ski
Saved more money
Bought a family home instead of 2 investment apartments
Gotten my teeth whitened
Gotten my golf handicap
Appreciated the good shape my tummy and boobs were in

[MrsFogi]

I saw another post this evening and it made me think back to this - why didn't I listen????? I now have two darling dds but don't have a minute to myself!!!!!!! Anyone ttc good luck but heed the advice on this thread now, they were right and life suddenly changes when you do conceive!

[MrsMattie]

Loads of stuff. Travelled more independently - maybe lived abroad. Climbed a bit higher up the greasy career pole. Lived alone for longer. Written a novel, rather than trying to write one with a toddler leaping on my knee every 10 mins! Ach well....

[BigBadMouse]

try to think of things that you would like to do with your children when they come along.

I wanted to learn to sail but, due to various unexepcted happenings, I didn't get to the level I wanted to before DCs came along. If I had I would have been more confident to take them sailing with me now. Also works with things like skiing, I'm guessing it would be easier to take DCs on a skiing holiday if you didn't have to concentrate on learning for yourself too. I think a good thing to do in preparation for your children is to lead as interesting a life as you can beforehand so you can inspire them to do the same. If you get the chance - do it I say.

You'll never fully appreciate 'me time' until you have had children!

[PearTart]

Top thing I miss is going on fab holidays- now it's too much hassle just finding a child- friendly hotel and airports are not so appealing.
Really glad we went diving on the Great Barrier Reef via China and Great Wall (although I don't recommend AirChina!!) Pick a couple of ace destinatoins and go for it whilst you can still afford and pack for it. Go skiing- I fell PG on X-country ski trip after breaking an arm.
Why not go on a whisky tour of highands- or just a weekend away on a whim. Clubbing and spas in Iceland? Now feeling envious...
Oh and spend some money and quality time on your fab self, right now in the here and present because you deserve it. So there!
Also go to the cinema lots.

[ClairePO]

Am impressed at someone taking LO to Simla!

[Moonlit]

Well...we had the fabulous holidays, the sporty Z3 two seater BMW, romantic weekends, late night trips to the cinema. But since we had our daughter our lives have changed for the better. She has brought so much happiness and good luck into our lives. Traveling abroad or going out for dinner is easy, because she is so well behaved. I am not a strict mum, she just came out that way . So we are enjoying everything we do with her by our sides. I wish we could clone her

[BibiThree]

Gone on LOTS more holidays
Spent lots of money we thought we didn't have, on ourselves (because now, we really don't have any!)
Gone to the pictures more often
Not wasted our free time sitting around

[fruitloopwants79eastereggs]

YES! I wish I'd started having kids earlier! I wish someone had diagnosed my PCOS a lot earlier!

[ninedragons]

Taken a plaster cast of what I realise in retrospect really were rather fabulous tits.

[allgonebellyup]

Had a life

(had dd at 19)

[kerala]

Travel to places would not consider taking dd (India/Peru/Africa).

Going to lots of cultural things - we lived in London when child free so went to exhibitions, galleries, cinema, theatre and loved it. Bike rides in Richmond Park and pub lunch.

With a toddler we find these are just too much hassle and you have to factor in getting a babysitter which when on one salary can make going out offputting so easier just not to bother.

[princessosyth]

Saved more money. I did everyone else I wanted to do which is I why I have no money!

[helenhismadwife]

had a nude picture of myself to prove that once I did have a non flabby, saggy and wrinkly body!!!!

[moodymammy]

I wish I'd had more sleep, drank much much more wine and been to New York more than once I miss all day sessions at the pub too! But seeing ds smile at me makes it all worth it (sounds of vomiting)