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 never expected to love another human being as much as I did when I had my children,

There was a stage of ds's life when I could tell you every publicly accessible toilet in each town we went to. I also never thought I'd learn to always have food about my person.

Priorities in life simply change and doing things like going out all the time socialising are simply not that important...

begrudging time spent away from them! And never be able to fully relax

My attitude towards life has changed entirely since having children. I don't care what people think of me anymore, but I worry about things that would never have bothered me.

Getting up early - thought I could not be a morning person

My life revolves around childcare and nursery and organising, shared diaries

Somehow become a neat freak and also a super cook

Always wanted a dishwasher now I NEED a dishwasher

Washing has become a daily thing :O - used to be weekly

Finally, never thought I would miss someone after just a few hours, love them both!
x

Everything that is yours( body included) is theirs.
I'm also a lot more aware of my own mortality( have a real fear of passing away and leaving my children)

As soon as I saw my children I felt an overwhelming bond that nothing could break. Over the years I have loved them through dirty nappies, terrible twos and disgusting teenage fads. Now, their children's smiles invoke the same overpowering, undying love. All of the other things mean nothing.

The guilt. With everything. I always feel like I should be doing more, playing more, teaching more. There just aren't enough hours in the day.

realising that you are bringing up the next generation, hard work but very rewarding

That actually for me having a baby to look after seemed quite simple, but having a toddler that's a whole different ball game! Everything involves a 5 minute plus conversation from what shoes to wear to why we are going out in the first place. I must admit I expected it to be the other way round and get easier.. lol!

I used to love my Sunday lie in but now its a real treat and I can manage without it although some days the tiredness on the commute home finally gets me.

My indigestion seems to have disappeared now I have to get up 20 times every time I sit down to eat something.

The happiness when my son runs into my arms when I get home from work and the disappointment when he doesn't (already in bed or playing lego with daddy)

Definitely my working life. I used to earn £45k as an Area Manager for an oil company. I now earn £6k as a part time teaching assistant. My work life ratio is much more in balance now!

I have learnt to be a lot more patient & to not care about my once clean house. As long as its not dirty its fine to have toys out!

(this is gross) I now think nothing of sticking a finger up a nose to get a bogie out before school

I have never cooked so much pasta in all my life...

lack of sleep , oh and the everyday changes to their moods !!

When my DC was younger i had forgotten what a hot drink is let a lone going to the loo on my own, but now shes older i have been able to do some courses with my dc at her school and i gained a c&g.

When my wife left me in 1980, it was not common for a man to take on the children. my son was 21 months, my daughter was 3 months. we lived in a hamlet outside Malvern Worcestershire. I did not have any relatives or friendly neighbours living in the area, no telephone, no computer, I had an old car and a public telephone a mile down the road. I did have a job but had to give that up within a couple of weeks, as handwashing terry nappies at one oclock in the morning took its toll on me. so I decided to not bother with child minders and look after my babies. One night always sticks in my mind, when my son caught croup (viral infection) he barked like a dog. I ran down the road and called the local doctor who come out and stayed with me all night. he told me to put a saucepan of water to boil and we stayed in the kitchen all night till little Simon recovered. my two children have done well. one is a manager of a private business club in London. my daughter is an accountant in Livingstone. Did it change me, I suppose it did. times was hard. but worth it. thanks

I don't get to buy stuff for myself much, I can manage on very little sleep and who wants space to hear their own thoughts anyway? :/

First few things that come to mind are:

• Christmas has a whole different meaning
• lie-ins are a thing of the past
• until you've been through it, school is unbelievably stressful!

every time I bounce on a trampoline I piss myself a bit

More of a better eating routine, I eat three meals instead of just skipping or grazing.

I've definitely become more broody since having my second child - that was quite unexpected!

I've actually grown, ive decided i will have a can-do attitude as its the best thing for your kids. In my house now there is no such thing as can't. You can do anything if you try hard enough.

Remembering flashes of my own childhood that had lain dormant for decades.

No quality time, lack of sleep and anxious but its well worth it for the innocent love you recieve

I actually worry less. I soon figured that nothing else matters so i dont sweat the small stuff anymore