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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:
alsproject · 18/11/2015 20:42

We have had less time to ourselves as it is a non stop job of looking after children. We cherishish any spare time we have a lot more now

mave · 18/11/2015 20:45

I don't sit down until they're in bed, you have no privacy or much head space as someone always needs you! Im so much more aware of my own mortality as worry about my kids not having their mum. I'm much more emotional about everything and cry easily, I can't imagine my life without them, I love them so much!!

pennwood · 18/11/2015 20:55

As much as you love your children you really appreciate the opportunity for a soak in a warm bath & half an hour of 'me' time!

happysouls · 18/11/2015 21:28

I didn't realise how difficult I'd find it to keep the weight off after having a baby. Before that I could eat anything and stay slim! Arggh!
I also expected to have lots of kids, but I had just the one who is now in his 20's. Lots of things changed for the better and that's the way it worked out!

K1ttenp1e · 18/11/2015 21:35

Everything has changed. In four years everything has changed. I have just had my fifth child and love being so busy and having constant cuddles. I am on the go all the time and have to be so organised, there is no time or money for treats for the adults but they are worth it.

LeeR1985 · 18/11/2015 21:54

I learnt that I can function on very little sleep. I couldn't afford to take paternity leave so I was working full time in a store while waking up every hour during the night.. surprisingly didn't break anything (apart from my mind!)

Clairescottshug · 18/11/2015 22:06

I have never worried and judged myself so much after becoming a mum!!

buckley1983 · 18/11/2015 22:11

Haha.. my husband & I often talk about this - at first, in utter shock - but now, kinda fondly - we wonder what we ever did with our free time before having our son! How did I possibly find an excuse to leave the washing up until the next day? How did the ironing build up week after week.. what on earth was I doing?! Our lives have changed immeasurably since having our son, but most of the changes are incredibly welcome - I won't lie & say I enjoy the sleep deprivation.. which is still going on - yawn! Children are SO much fun though & we have shared so many amazing time together as a family.
The big changes though - lack of any kind of 'free' time - all the household tasks have fallen to the bottom of the priority ladder, especially with working full-time too! A night out now is a night in for us - & I love it! Get LO tucked up into bed & watching a film snuggled up in PJs on the sofa. Love LO getting in with us in the night too & waking up together in the mornings :)
Our friendship circle has changed & I have new found love of soft play! Roll with the changes I say!

toodles60 · 18/11/2015 22:21

I think the biggest change is probably losing a few friends mainly because i no longer am able to go out some evenings as most of my friends are single and don't have children. I think i've calmed a lot and become more introspective. Tired a lot so i tend now to go to bed much earlier than i ever did before.

shivbrown · 18/11/2015 22:51

Sleep being the biggest change, I used to sleep 12 hours a night and never wake up before 8am but now I only sleep 7 hours at the most and wake 5am every morning.

Having a bath on my own is no longer a relaxing time I normally am joined with my little one or have bath toys launched at my head ha-ha

Wearing a nice outfit all day is long gone as I have to change at least twice a day as my little boy wipes his hands all over me

Shopping in shops is a lot quicker and I don’t browse just run in for the essentials with my child

And don’t drink got to be alert for when little man needs me

HUUUGE changed but I would not change it for the world. Being a Mummy is the best thing in the world x

Nurofen for Children want to hear how your life has changed in unexpected ways since having your DC - £300 voucher prize draw! NOW CLOSED
Cailin7 · 18/11/2015 23:24

My organisational skills have improved. Some weeks are like a military operation!

unadulterateddad · 18/11/2015 23:25

I've learned that there is nothing better to cheer me up than the unrestrained laughter of my son

compy99 · 18/11/2015 23:45

learning to appreciate different things, being happy to not go out on a Friday and Saturday night, being more than happy to go to bed and get just 3 hours sleep. suddenly knowing all the children's TV shows but not knowing what the latest celebrity news is.

mamma2laura · 19/11/2015 00:26

Oh wow, where do I start? Well I no longer have long hot showers, its a quick dip in the bath for me, I don't have time for make up so I always look like death warmed up, my hair is constantly lifeless and scraped back into a ponytail, my days consists of cooking, cleaning washing, ironing and shopping, my handbag always has baby wipes in it as opposed to make up wipes, I think about changing my name often (muuuuum tends to get a bit tiring after hearing it 10+ times a day. I don't have a social life but saying all this I wouldn't have it any other way!

mumtowoo1 · 19/11/2015 10:43

Since having my two girls I can now deal with every bug be it a spider or wasp, I no longer scream and hide out in a room, I deal with them with the minimum fuss.

sweir1 · 19/11/2015 11:29

My sky box planner is full of mr tumble and programs i revorded 18 months ago!

RiSo · 19/11/2015 13:24

I don't think there is any aspect of my life that is the same now as it was 6 years ago before my 3 boys came along. I have different friends (school mums), don't go out anymore (better things to spend my money on and couldn't cope with the hangover), a different car (bye bye 2 seater, hello family car), the house now looks like a toy store has been sick in it (no more posh stuff) and my clothes, well lets just say if I have got fully dressed and brushed my hair it is a good day! Wouldn't change a thing though!

queenoftheschoolrun · 19/11/2015 13:48

I just put my hand in my coat pocket to get my car keys and took out a conker, a manky feather, a shiny penny, a hairclip and a shell.

That just about sums up how my life has changed!

pfcpompeysarah · 19/11/2015 14:54

Hmm, I have learnt to accept that I will never look as neatly put together as I did pre-DC arrival, I will never get complete freedom to go to the loo on my own, or have time to read a book, I will know lots of kids tv characters which I didn't really need to know, but mostly I will have so much love for this bundle I didn't have a few years back.

helly27 · 19/11/2015 15:30

No short comment could even try to describe how life changes when you have children but one thing unexpected was just how much you could love another being

micra · 19/11/2015 16:03

No free time.
When they're babies it's all consuming.
When you're back at work, you're getting 2 or more people ready in the morning.
When they're older, you're the social organiser / play date referee / constant birthday present buyer / taxi driver
When they start high school, you're the sounding board / punch bag depending what mood they're in & now even more of a taxi driver.
And unless you have close family or are just one of those super-confident people, you're so used to being there that despite everything, you don't feel you can just go off for the weekend and leave them with someone.
Plus you're too knackered and out of the habit of going out anyway!

fm201069 · 19/11/2015 16:42

we're getting used to less sleep

Thegentlemonkey · 19/11/2015 19:08

Permanent lack of ability to control how long you can sleep for - even 5.30 is a lie in these days.
But more positively amazed at the joy they bring in so many tiny ways - it's a cliche but it does make it all worthwhile

Shelduck · 19/11/2015 21:21

My hands get dry now from all the washing! So handcream has suddenly become a big part of my life!

sealight123 · 19/11/2015 21:33

I've learnt that I can go longer without sleep (lol)
I am a very good multitasker
I also found my career because of my daughter.- I had worked in retail, catering and bar work previously. The hours were unsociable and tiring. I pursued a new career and have ended in in IT at a service desk. I have also found that I am good at my job and love it! More time for family, more money and a lot more rewarding :)

My daughter has also made me discover how to love someone more than life itself! I can not imagine a world without her and cannot envisage what life was like before her.