What would be the one thing you wish you'd done before your first child was born?

[Crossfitgirl]

So I have just found out I'm expecting my first child, and although we are so excited, I know that my freedom to do spontaneous things, certain holidays and experiences will be off the cards in about 8 months time - at least for a while!
I would be interested to know from other parents if there is anything you really valued doing / wished you had done, maybe one last time before your first was born?

I think the Maldives is off the cards (can only dream 😂!) What would you plan if you could go back in time to where I am now?

I was going to say waited a few years, but thinking about it wouldn't change when.

Nothing really, I feel like I travelled enough etc and all of that now seems a bit pointless compared to spending time with dc.

Dumped the useless father and gone it alone from the start.

I would've gone to the cinema every week, whether I wanted to or not .

And just appreciating going out after work/weekends without having to get back. Nothing is open ended after kids.

I got everything out of my system that I wanted to before I had kids.

I travelled loads, had my own place, slept lots, got educated to post grad level, had a good career.

The ONLY thing I didn’t do that I kind of wish I had done is live abroad for a bit. I know you can still do that with kids but I have a step DC so it’s totally off the table, at least until they’re an adult.

Thats my only ‘regret’.

Travel! I've never even been on a plane.

Learn to drive

Go on holiday alone.

Live alone.

There's a theme here

Lots and lots and lots more sex!

Lazy Sunday afternoons when we "just go for a little lie down" and shag for 3 hours.

Go for a mountain walk and shag on the forest floor, al fresco.

Now my Sunday afternoons are boardgames and finishing homework and watching a shit kids film. Mountain walks are running around yelling and trying to shoot squirrels with a stick gun!

I prefer it now

We travelled enough when younger and i lived in 2 different countries before i settled on this. When ds is all grown up we can travel more - further afield.

I'd have read up on breastfeeding and gone in with a lot more knowledge, preparing myself for how hard it is!

Nothing really always did and do pretty much everything I want to - am not saying life doesn't change when you have kids , of course it does but I just viewed it as new challenges and fun - I was 37 with a good career when I had my hold so had done plenty of gallivanting around etc

My child not my hold !

All of the things I'd like to have done would have to be done before the pregnancy not before the birth.

Vomiting and lying down feeling sorry for myself weren't on my bucket list for sure.

Even things like naps/extra sleep. During pregnancy? Good luck!

Not had sex (sorry particularly bad morning the the dc)

Travelled more (despite having travelled a fair bit!).

Slept more, long luxurious naps that take you past lunchtime in a Sunday.

Day drinking. Not going out to get flat on your back pissed, but a nice long lunch with friends, a good few drinks and putting the world to rights all afternoon.

Did I mention sleep?

I love our DS with all my heart, but its been a rough adjustment period. I like to think I'm still me, just a new version of myself. If I ponder the alternative too long it never ends well!

Learn to drive. I did try a bit when pregnant but didn’t really put that much effort into it, wish I had. Now I’m a relatively new driver dealing with London traffic with a noisy 6 and 3 yr old in the back, not ideal.

More cooking - I know that may sound odd but since DC we’ve pretty much lived off the same 10 meals as have no time or energy to try new stuff out (other than kids’ meals!). I wish I’d expanded my repertoire a bit pre DC.

Oh also, declutter and fix any odds and ends around the house. Sorry mine are boring!

While pregnant, had a holiday in the sun! Very glad I did antenatal classes as I met some lovely people and it helps so much in the early days to have a little support network. Definitely lie in on weekends and go to the cinema/shows x

Backpacking around South America.

Lost weight and got fit

Thought more about what would happen to my career

Declutter.
Go to the cinema - getting out at a fixed time becomes very difficult.
Enjoy reading the paper.

Left my partner, moved lots of miles. Saved more money.

Drink more

Go out more

Do more things by myself. Although it wasn't until I had a velcro baby I realised how much I enjoy being alone

Focused more on my career.

Other than that, nothing. I’m a pro sleeper and napper. Spent the majority of my first three weeks of Mat leave asleep before I went into labour. We also went to the cinema a lot as I couldn’t walk much and obviously couldn’t drink so it was the only evening out we could really have.