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

297 replies

MichelleMumsnet · 09/11/2015 16:14

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.

OP posts:
Roraima · 18/11/2015 08:48

When I had them, "in illo tempore" It was confusing... blessing...frightening. No manual. Now the little ones from my little ones are just a bundle of joy. I every so often a new one pops up...

phillie1 · 18/11/2015 08:59

Realising you cant even get some peace whilst on the toilet

beckyinman · 18/11/2015 09:06

Losing weight! I didn't realise running around trying to get everything done, carrying a toddler around and never really having time to eat would be so good for the waistline

MrsMolesworth · 18/11/2015 09:16

I was a quiet bookish girl, so the most brilliant way life changed was discovering a world of fun I'd never have got into without my two boys' enthusiasm. We have spent hours building stuff: dens in the woods, dams over rivers, bedroom door brother-keep-out electronic security alarm systems, baking soda volcanoes.

They are teens now, and I've learned so much. I hated history and science at school. I love them now. And DS loves Latin, which I've ended up learning just by testing him on it over the years.

Stoodles · 18/11/2015 09:19

Little children show the world in a whole new way. A slow meandering walk with a two year old introduces you to so many details you would never have noticed

maryandbuzz1 · 18/11/2015 09:23

Adjusting to the fact that I can do everything was hard. Holidays abroad just didn't work and caused soooo much stress it wasn't worth it. Once I had adjusted to that holidays were lovely in th UK

TattieHowkerz · 18/11/2015 09:42

My life has become a lot more fun, and more active. Lots of time spent running around in parks, on climbing frames etc.

I know far more about Cbeebies and Nick Jr than I ever thought possible. I don't think I even knew about Nick Jr before. Now the Paw Patrol theme is my current ear worm.

Cambam2010 · 18/11/2015 09:44

My life changed by ending my marriage - Having a child really shows you how strong your relationship is. My marriage just couldn't cope with the pressure of a young child, exhausted mother and disinterested father. Strangely my ex and I now get on great and still all meet up together with our new partners to spend Xmas day together with our DS.

sweetsomethings · 18/11/2015 10:06

how much my alone time would mean to me even if it is just 5 minutes

jodiecrossley1 · 18/11/2015 10:15

I have no time for myself or sleep but I can't imagine my life without her and not having her with me all the time!

ImmortalBeloved72 · 18/11/2015 10:15

As a single parent I find it all a complete nightmare especially when it comes to good cop bad cop. Wasn't so bad when my eldest was younger but now he's 17 its absolute torture and every day is a different battle.

emmav6 · 18/11/2015 10:17

i was urprised how many hours i could go without sleep!!

janeoho · 18/11/2015 10:42

I used to go to the cinema for late night showings at least once a week. I played games on the PS3 with my partner for hours on end, I'd let the dogs cuddle on the sofa with us, id come home from work and get straight in to my PJs! Id drink ALOT.

Now, I only go to kids AM morning films, never have time for games, the dogs don't get in the living room anymore at all and when I come home I end up having to right back out again to take her to friends houses or clubs! PS. I don't drink at all any more!

It changed my life forever and I love it

easter1965 · 18/11/2015 10:47

Mine was my wardrobe, not only the fact that it shrunk to an unimaginable amount, less nice clothes but the fact that my figure would no longer allow me to slip into those skinny's and tight dresses and I couldnt just go out and spend cash on beautiful outfits as I had little ones who came first.

MAT12 · 18/11/2015 11:33

I was a very strong,, not showing emotions easily until i had my childrens. i cant believe how soft i am now

MAT12 · 18/11/2015 11:40

Every christmas eve before settling down, the christmas elfs put a present on the end of each bed contain nightwear. we all open our presents get ready for bed and then we make popcorn and hot chocolate and all sit down together to watch a film.

beeelaine · 18/11/2015 12:06

haha what hasnt changed since having our son?!!! I suppose it has made me more resourceful and imaginative (or in other words probably a bit mad in a nice kind of way) - how many times he had said he needed something for school just before being put to bed!!!!! You will see mums that go through the same at ASDA around 11pm, surfing the isles for PVA glue and tinned items for the harvest festival! I found out I was quite good at paper mache creations over the years - he once had a lighthouse hat made from a builders helmet and it had battery operated lights in the top! Apart from that my wardrobe has downgraded from "stylish" to "waynetta", in the past I have turned up to the school run with inside out clothes using his scooter downhill as I was late..... I suppose basically all those things you thought mad mothers did, you end up suddenly find yourself doing and wondering, how on earth did i get here? I suppose though the biggest change in me is the "over protective" bit, I seriously have to restrain myself, there is this "pit bull" energy inside that comes from nowhere!

rachelmi · 18/11/2015 12:12

Life rich and time poor!!

julieef · 18/11/2015 12:19

having children has been the best thing in our lives, even if we often struggle to have time to ourselves, we have to take long weekends to have time totally alone even now

tiameg · 18/11/2015 12:26

Privacy is a word that echos around you from the past. The meaning is vague now and you cant quite remember how it feels. Your bag gets bigger and turns into a rucksack as it no longer has just your lippy and your purse but toys, nappies, snacks, drinks, wipes... You no longer get a nights sleep...more like just the odd catnap. The meaning of ramance changes. No longer does it mean being swept of your feet and a night of passion - its now more a quick peck on the check for your partner because he saw to the kids enabling you to get an extra 10 minutes sleep. I have two new people in my life that I sometimes crave a break from but then quickly realise that I cant bare them to be out of my site and would lay down my life for them because despite the lack of sleep, privacy and peace - I love them more than anything in this world.

southernsun · 18/11/2015 12:26

I have become good at ironing now which I never used to be. Must be all the extra practise!

jandoc · 18/11/2015 12:30

just having someone more to love is amazing

tabbaz123 · 18/11/2015 12:32

So much changes it is hard to list them all but for me I think the most significant change was that it made me appreciate just how lucky we are as a family and I then registered to become a foster carer - Our love is certainly enough to share with others....

pixelwife · 18/11/2015 13:10

Being a mum has softened me no end. As a businesswoman I was very used to being tough and having little ones means I've had to gain a lot of patience, good humour and my nurturing side has really come out. Apparently I'm a better boss for it too!

littleme96 · 18/11/2015 13:20

I have:

  • rediscovered my love of children's TV and will quite happily sit and watch some of the shows when they are in bed.
  • become really good at multi-tasking!
  • realised what fantastic company children can be. Before having my own I never really thought about it I suppose.
  • gained a lot more patience.