How has being a parent changed you?

[catyc]

I know about the physical changes (saggy belly) & the memory loss, but apart from that what's different about you now you've got children?

I'm a lot more organised - things get done (AND FINISHED) straight away (otherwise there's no time or I'll forget what I was doing). I'm much more assertive when I'm out shopping. People who know me say I'm more happy and content. I do more housework, proper cooking, washing up STRAIGHT AWAY rather than leaving it till I run out of mugs, ... (though I still hate it) & despite already being 33 when I gave birth, I've grown up a LOT in the last year. Finally, my job, which I used to love (high pressure, sales, targets, etc.) I now hate & I'd much rather be doing something touchy feely like nursing/teaching as I'm still totally baby obsessed one year on.

Have other people changed since becoming a mum/dad? Do your friends/family think you've changed?

I'm actually better at my work and more interested in it since having children - but then I write about children and parenting quite a bit!

It would be nice to have a social life again. And even perhaps a sex life.

I finish jobs more often than I used to.
The house is more organised.
I'm a bit more assertive.
I tend not to waste time doing things I don't really want to.
I can control my temper better (plenty of practice)
The rest is too soppy - you don't want to hear it. (I never knew there were such wonderful creatures in the universe, etc .... see?)

Trifle, it sounds as if you need some company to get you through the day until you start feeling better. I've felt like this sometimes, but never for more than 1 or 2 days at a time. I think you've been feeling this way for a while and need to talk to someone. Are there any tots groups you could go to to break up the day? Or anyone like-minded with children similar age? Is there any possiblity of you working, part-time perhaps, to get you away from some of it? Hope you feel better one day soon. xxxx

Oh yes, WORRY.
I do that a lot more now.

My tummy is wobbly and has funny marks on it

I am more tired than ever before, I have under eye bags, I am more happy, more content than ever, I go M&T groups and enjoy them, I read at least 5 books every night!, I can recite and sing hundreds of nursery rhymes, I watch Cbeebies, I am so uninterested in my job and wouldn't care if I were sacked tommorrow, I cook proper food, I no longer lie in till mid day, When I'm on a night out I'm wishing I were at home as by 10pm I'm knackered, I love my ds more than I've loved anyone before.

My boobs are no longer pert.

CD, for me, I would have to prefix your comment with

Now there is a valid reason why ...