Nurofen for Children want to hear how your life has changed in unexpected ways since having your DC - £300 voucher prize draw! NOW CLOSED

[MichelleMumsnet]

Nurofen for Children have asked us to find out how Mumsnetters’ lives have changed since having children.

Here’s what they say, “It’s no surprise that 88% of first time mums reflect on having a baby as a life changing experience as they rework their normal routines to take care of their little one. During their baby’s first year, over two thirds of mums say they felt the biggest impacts on their relationships (65%), work life (65%) and friendships (55%).i

“Almost half of those questioned describe the first year as full of love and amazement.i during the early months in particular, 29% say they struggled with feelings of loneliness and over half (52%) felt that they had lost their identity since becoming a mum.i After friendships changed, 52% say they felt a need to make a new group of friends who could relate to their parenting experiences.”

“Nurofen for Children is trusted by parents – 9/10 parents who used it would recommend it to a friend.iii

“Nurofen for Children understands how daunting it can be going through so many changes, especially in the early months of parenthood. To help you through this life changing but magical period, you need advice you can trust and products you can rely on.”

So, what changes have you experienced since having children which you perhaps hadn’t quite anticipated? Perhaps you actually all of a sudden become a lot more efficient at doing things? Have you uncovered a hidden talent and become an expert fancy dress designer and creator? Or maybe you didn’t appreciate how it would now take you three times so long to get ready in the morning? Whatever it is, we’d love to hear it!

Everyone who posts on this thread will be entered into a prize draw to win a £300 Love2Shop voucher!

Thanks
MNHQ

Terms and conditions:

• To enter the competition answer the question above
• To enter, you must be: A) A UK resident; and b) 18 years old or over at the time of entry and c) a registered member of Mumsnet
• Competition closes at midnight on Thursday 26th November 2015
• Entries posted after the closing date will not be considered
• One winner will be chosen from all winning entries
• Mumsnet will choose the winner at random after the closing date
• Mumsnet will contac the winner privately to organise delivery of the prize
• The prize is £300 Love2Shop vouchers
• Full terms and conditions here

Nurofen for Children 3 months to 9 years Orange / Strawberry. Nurofen for Children Orange / Strawberry 3 months to 12 years (weighing over 5kg). Contains Ibuprofen. For relief of fever. Always read the label.

iSurvey of 2,000 mums by One Poll, commissioned by Nurofen for Children (October 2013)
iiSurvey of 2,000 parents with a baby under 6 years old, commissioned by Nurofen for Children (May 2014)
iiiSurvey of Mum’s Views of 141 mums ‘9 out of 10 mums who used NfC would recommend it to a friend’. Last accessed August 2013.

I've become much more emotional. I don't watch films that'll upset me anymore, the news can be tough to watch, and I unfollow anyone who puts sad stories / graphic pictures of children onto my timeline. I worry about the world I've brought my daughter into.

Also, I was never a worrier. So easy going, spontaneous and light hearted... Now - I watch my daughter (3) walking in with a bowl of grapes and by the time she's reached her seat I have envisioned the 30 different ways she could have died before she got there! I know I sound bonkers - but she is so precious I feel a weight of responsibility to keep her safe. If I could wrap her in cotton wool wrapped in bubble wrap (with a very secure oxygen supply...) I would.

I do love being a mother though!

My life has change so much that i have learned to survive on very little sleep, to put someone before my self and realise there is no rush to do things when you have a baby you go at there pace

I am never alone! I used to enjoy leisurely baths by myself but now I will with have one of the DC jumping in with me (after a long stare and a wistful 'mum that bath looks lovely' - yes DC, it was) or sitting on the loo telling me a long involved tale about the game they have played/want to play/would have played if it wasn't for xxx...

Before DC I able to be spontaneous, and just go out for the day, now it involves planning, picnics, and consideration of if the destination will be well received or whined about

Now I get hugs, slobbery kisses, middle of the night cuddles, DD1 is old enough to be a partner in crime to watch movies with (DH just doesn't like the same ones we do ). I have learned that hugs and kisses are miracle cures to almost any injury. My first aid skills get constant practice - looking at you DS we do not need another A&E trip thank you.

My cooking has improved and I can now sneak 7+ vegetables into dishes so that they are not spotted by small people until after they have pronounced dinners delicious.

What's humbling is the absolute faith my kids have in me and how amazing they find even mediocre skills in costume making, drawing, cake decorating and my ability to fix anything with superglue and duck tape!

I have lost the ability to finish sentences, or to have one conversation at a time.
I rarely finish a cup of tea or coffee when it is actually hot.
Somebody else now decides what time my day will start/finish
I only ever get to do a wee on my own when I'm at work
But...all of that said, I would not change a thing, I have never felt such overwhelming feelings of love as I have for my daughter and have never felt as loved by anyone as I do her!

i have to say... i never thought id appreciate a good nights sleep so much.

I spend a lot more time outdoors having fun. Weekends are always busy I used to waste them watching tv buy now we go for outings all the time. I've learnt stuff I'd forgotten all about from seeing it through a child's eyes - how plants grow, how a caterpillar becomes a butterfly, how the Romans lived. I've never laughed so much, felt so proud, frustrated, happy, sad, confused, scared, amazed or surprised and usually all in one day. And I've never appreciated a lie in so much either!

I cry at bloody everything now. I used to be a calm and controlled person, but now every single vaguely emotional thing makes my throat tighten.

I was surprised to find out how much I enjoy spending time with children. Pre dd I would have said I didn't really like children post dd I help out at all the school events and volunteer at rainbows and love interacting with all the kids. Dd has really helped me find my sense of fun.

I love the conversations we have. Sometimes they are just so random.

I am also very good at getting up, showered, dressed and ready for the day in half an hour- something I would never have thought possible pre-kids.

Tidying up is now the glorious 20 minutes that I get whilst husband takes LG for a walk and I get head space. Never thought I would look forward to housework!

I'm knackered - all the time yet somehow still functioning in a way I didn't think possible. I never knew I had such endless reserves of love. I never expected them to wind me up as much as possible.

On the negative side, I didn't realise how dangerous the world was (esp cars!). Have to actively stop myself thinking of all the horrid things that might happen to them.

On the positive side, they are the best thing that ever happened to me. They are sooo rewarding and lovely. S'cuse the mush...

I've had to learn to use the creative part of me much more - my job is very analytical and I like spreadsheets & pivot tables, so having to draw a dragon or make a boat out of cereal boxes & tissue paper for a demanding child has really challenged me!

It's made me become a better person overall. I want to get up and do exciting things, arrange exciting things. Look forward to seeing their faces when we do lovely things, and seeing them smile and be happy makes everything worth while. I have more friends than I used too, I'm happier since becoming a mother, and they make me want to be better. I'm truly lucky to have my babies.

Now I cry if I watch anything involving kidnapped, killed or abused children. I don't watch horrors anymore. In fact, most of the time I only watch children TV.

I didn't anticipate the excitement that comes with each small new thing they learn to do. Anything he does that he hasn't done before is a moment to be celebrated, not just the key milestones like crawling and walking. I now find joy in such tiny things.

I now am grateful for small things such as a hot cup of tea!!

I'm amazed how isolated I've felt since becoming a parent and in equal measures I didn't realise how a lovely comment from either of my DCs would give me such a lift.

I agree with mrsnmf a cup of tea has now become a major part of my day - it's comforting and gives you a few minutes to gather your thoughts!

I didn't realise how much love you could have for a child - from the moment they are born, so tiny and helpless. No matter how much they grow they always need you for something! Amount of tears I've shed over school performances etc. They make you feel so proud. I'm so grateful for all of my 3 healthy kids. I'm truly lucky and blessed x

I can now cry watching tv adverts.... and.i have absolutely no trouble sleeping anymore since having my DD 9 months ago! As soon as my head hits the pillow i'm away...! Luckily she is a good sleeper too!

I sit for 15 minutes and do nothing when the kids are finally all in bed. It does not matter how messy the whole house is I have my 15 minutes and then start to tidy unless of course I have fallen asleep by then.

Never forget how hard I found the baby stage. DD had reflux and it made everything so tough as I didn't dare feed her outside for fear of her being sick everywhere and now she's older how much easier it became.

Lack of privacy. It started during pregnancy - people touching my bump, asking personal questions (I really hate being touched, especially by strangers). In labour - medical staff not always checking I knew they were there before "starting" IYSWIM. I haemorrhaged after the birth & they all rushed in, in response to the emergency bell, I was half conscious with my legs up. People assuming they could visit & see the baby at any time, regardless of what I was doing or how I felt.

Also, I am amazed that we must have had such an extraordinary amount of free time, and never realised until it had gone.

I am much more patient than I ever thought I would be! Having children has been the thing that most enriches my life