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 worry a lot more! Not just about my boys' safety in this dangerous world, but also about how they treat others and the impact they will have on other people's happiness.

It was the run up to having kids that was an unexpected change for me. Having no photos of myself/DH together and none of me, I decided I wanted photos of us pre kids and not to let my hang-IPs be passed on. I'm now more confident in my own skin

My life has changed so much since having children. My independence has gone, every thought is about the children. I hardly ever spend anything on myself, every spare penny goes towards them as they always need/want something. I would rather spend on them than me. I don't get any privacy at all and seem to have far less time with my partner than I did before. My house was always immaculate and tidy, now it is unbelievable how messy it can look in such a short space of time.
I never knew that I could love someone as much as I love them, it is an amazing feeling. I also worry about thing more in the world knowing that they have to grow up and live in this world.

It brought me closer to my family, I've been very touched by how much love they have for D.C.!

I had no idea that i was capable of loving someone soooo much. And then when the second baby comes along that love doubles.

I always thought the love you'd feel for a husband would match the love for a child - but now i know that the love for children is just beyond describing.

I found i needed a creative outlet for myself - whether that was playing scrabble, or learning to cook a new recipe i needed to engage my mind in something other than the new baby.

I never really thought ahead that I would not ever get another holiday alone with my husband until the kids left home. people who have friends and relatives to help out are so lucky. I crave a break away from them but know its not possible right now.

I had no idea there would be so many ups and downs in parenting. After a day of tantrums I have to sneak into his room to watch his sleep peacefully.

Mine has changed in ways I could never have possibly imagined! But really, it has made me realise that I worried about the small things in life and in reality, the things that didn't warrant worrying at all. Having children, now they are my only worry and the most important thing of all. I don't stress over the little things anymore.

i appreciate sleep now.

i appreciate that a simple smile or to hear a laugh is possibly the greatest gift on earth.

Everything has changed: my view of life, my parents' consideration, my own ideas.

I have become patient and I don't mind so much if I can get something done, I have learned to unwind easily but also to take decision quickly.

Mine is a simple one! I never knew how much complete sheer pleasure I could gain from watching someone sleep & marvelling over them
However!!!!
I never imagined a house could feel so quiet when they aren't here!!!

I cannot believe what I did with my time before my first child was born. As i never have time even to roughly comb my hair. But I would not change it in any way.

I never realised how much joy 3 little people could bring me, I'm much less selfish now (although being able to go to the toilet or drink a hot not lukewarm drink would be nice)
& I'm much more organised than I have ever been

Try hard to make time for myself but it's difficult

I have felt closer and more bonded to millions of other people since becoming a parent as I automatically have a point of commonality with all other parents. Having felt like an outsider for 30 years this was, and still is, a lovely feeling.

Just having to constantly think about someone else was quite a big shock

I'm so much more anxious since having my children. I had no fear when I was younger, but now worry constantly about whether they are ok.

I haven't worked since my eldest were born, so my life is very different. I have a much smaller social circle and virtually no social life!

Having said all that, I've never been happier and more content.

I just don't get much time to myself or time alone with my partner anymore! My hubby can become frustrated sometimes because he wants alone time with me, but I just love the company of our son!
I also think I have become more patient, I worry less about the small things BUT I worry about my son constantly. I am always thinking 'what if' this happened and at times drive myself crazy!

No spur of the moment trips to the shops or holidays, everything has to be planned when you have a baby.

I never could have anticipated just how hectic my days would be. I am a full time working single mum of two under 7, and mornings in particular are just mayhem, trying to get everyone out of the house with all school/preschool/after school/work accoutrements in place. I am exhausted by the weekend and then it is all birthday parties, playdates and housework. Ugh.

There are lots of changes that were to be expected, but in terms of the unexpected:

How it's brought me closer to my own mother, partly due to her support with my DC and partly because I appreciate how hard it would have been for her to bring up me and my siblings and I'm more grateful for everything.

I care more about the planet and environmental issues and worry more about world problems.

Although I've dropped down to less than half time hours, I appreciate work and enjoy it more than before DC.

I am so much more emotional - whether happy or sad you can guarantee it will make me cry!

My daughter is now 7 and I've only ever had one night away from her as we have no family to help out. I love her with all my heart, but would really like a night away or even a meal out with hubby for Valentines Day or our Wedding Anniversary

I wasn't maternal before I had my DS and due to my father walking out on me when I was younger, I had always been very reserved at forming relationships and giving my complete self to a person. Even so with my DH of 9 years!

I feel that in the 18 months my DS has been here, he has taught me the true meaning of love and sacrifice. My whole world revolves around being the best parent that I can be to him and the best partner to his dad.

However, although I feel like the richest person alive after gaining such a special bond and family, I also feel like the loneliest. No one tells you the sacrifices you have to make to the person and life you once had. One of the biggest things for me is the endless times I have felt lonely or lost and hopeless with my situation juxtaposed with the overwhelming sense of love and pride for the little one.

Whilst I don't have all the answers, every day I feel myself growing as a person. I am more settled in myself and have become very efficient in the every day running of the household. I am empowered by the things I have endured and the beautiful life that I have created!

I am addicted to creating memories and regularly can be found taking pictures and crafting up albums for DS to have when he's older. It's almost become an obsession because he's changing so much every day!

One thing that strikes me as different now is how materialistic I find the world I once walked in. Gone are the days that I live for the weekend or chase after the latest trends and products. I am content to make do with what I have and work hard to make my DS want for nothing.

I no longer measure my worth against what I can gain or how well I can keep up with the Joneses.. Instead I measure it in the hug my DS gives me each night that I put him down or in the smile he gives me when he knows he has managed to do something without aid for the first time.

I

Lack of sleep, lack of time with my husband, I can now multi task extremely quickly, shopping well, no more browsing for me its in get what's on the list and get out as quick as I can. My old friends especially them without children or grown up ones have disappeared but I have made more doing the school runs. The positive's do out weigh the negatives and I would do it all again.

We never actually ever argued or got twitchy with one another... and having an uninterrupted conversation is rare too - but, lack of sleep does do that.

I have lost my dislike of blood, dirt, vomit and faeces - now I can clear up everything with an efficiency that impresses even my Mother. Having a boy teaches you this life skill very quickly.