13 Facts of Life After Kids
[As seen on Parents Magazine & Mrs. Muffin Top]
When I was pregnant, my friends with children warned me: “Your life is never going to be the same!” But it wasn’t until after my kids were born that I fully understood what those words meant. Here’s a look at how things really change once you become a mom:
Sleep
BEFORE KIDS: You can sleep as late as you want
AFTER KIDS: You can’t even sleep through the night
Doctor Visits
BEFORE KIDS: You visit the doctor for an occasional checkup
AFTER KIDS: You rush to the doctor whenever your baby doesn’t seem to be farting enough
Rainy Days
BEFORE KIDS: You’re thrilled to have a rainy day to relax, watch movies, and doze on the couch
AFTER KIDS: You dread a rainy forecast because if you have to watch Frozen one more time…someone’s gonna get it
Social Skills
BEFORE KIDS: You spend your time engaged in intellectually stimulating conversations with your colleagues
AFTER KIDS: Conversation? What’s that? Nowadays, you spend your time trying to persuade your children to stop picking their nose in public
Your Purse
BEFORE KIDS: You slip lipstick and a credit card into a sleek handbag on your way out to the mall
AFTER KIDS: You stuff diapers, wipes, animal crackers, sippy cups, band-aids, coloring books, crayons, Thomas the Tank Engine, and a bottle of aspirin into your diaper bag on your way out to the playground
Cleanliness
BEFORE KIDS: The kitchen floor is so clean you can eat off it
AFTER KIDS: You can eat off the kitchen floor because there’s food all over it
Sex Life
BEFORE KIDS: You and your husband consistently enjoy hot sex
AFTER KIDS: You and your husband occasionally enjoy a hot meal
Wardrobe
BEFORE KIDS: You coordinate the perfect outfit to wear for a night out dancing
AFTER KIDS: You grab something out of the laundry basket and pray that no one at the indoor playground will notice the breast-milk stain
Hygiene
BEFORE KIDS: You get to take long, hot showers and have time to shave your legs and smooth on kiwi-scented body gel
AFTER KIDS: You spray on some deodorant and call it a day
Budgeting
BEFORE KIDS: You save money and treat yourself to a Kate Spade handbag
AFTER KIDS: You save money to treat your kid to a Star Wars backpack with original, collectible memorabilia
Diet
BEFORE KIDS: You dine on low-calorie, low-fat lunches at trendy new restaurants
AFTER KIDS: You wolf down someone’s leftover pizza and cake at a Chuck E. Cheese’s
Focus
BEFORE KIDS: You can easily finish a great book
AFTER KIDS: You’re barely able to finish a simple thought
Happiness
BEFORE KIDS: Your idea of bliss is being with the love of your life
AFTER KIDS: Your idea of bliss is tucking the love (or loves) of your life into bed each night