How Has Motherhood Changed You?

I am no longer patient! It's the truth.

Or maybe before, I didn't have anyone to test my patience.
So, I like myself less for having learned more of my less desirable traits. Yet, having learned them, I am trying to work on them and will (it might be with some time) become a better, happier person.

I feel very complete, in some sense. Before, I always felt like I should be doing something more. I really felt like something was hugely missing. As soon as my son was born, that was it. I was doing what I should be, and I felt very content. (My husband and I felt the same way, which is why we made him!) I feel more curious and playful about life. I had a huge creative drought for a while before I had my son. He restored my curiosity and sense of adventure. I feel more free and more full of ideas. I get excited about little things. Some would say silly things, but I enjoy experiencing the newness of life through him. I ask more questions. I'm more passionate in my beliefs. I also fear for the world he has to grow up in. A lovely, but harsh, unforgiving at times...kind of place. I don't want him to ever hurt. I know the day someone genuinely hurts his spirit will be difficult for me. I never knew hurt until I had a child to empathize with.

For the most part, I think motherhood has brought out positive things. One negative thing, is I tend to leave stuff be. I know I won't regret this when I'm old, but I hate having mountains of dishes and laundry, because I decided to play instead. I've found, that I've become BETTER at procrastinating. I really never thought I could be. I'm really working on it, but man is it hard.

I became a lot more involved in my community because I felt the need to ensure my kids have a great community to grow up in.

Turned me into a Mama Bear meaning you do not mess with my babies!! Additionally, before I was a mommy, I was extremely shy and probably taken advantage of more than I care to admit. But once my son then my daughter popped out - look out!! If something was not right at their schools or someone mistreated them, they had to deal with me. And I'm not saying they haven't learned to stand up for themselves or be mean about it. But because I've come out of my shell, I've taught them not to let people walk all over them either!

And like you, I used to enjoy crime novels and movies but I can't deal with that stuff any more. And don't even get me started on the kidnapping type of stories!

As for the stay-at-home part of it being so easy... you mean you don't just lay around all day watching soaps and eating bon-bons? lol!! Oh my gosh, there were some days I couldn't wait for my husband to come home just so I could take a pee break or even a shower!!

But I wouldn't trade a day of it for anything!! I wish I could go back to those "easy" days!! It doesn't get any easier - mine are in high school now. My son has been driving his own car for almost a year now and STILL every time he goes out I say a prayer for his safety and then when I hear the garage door open, I just quietly say "Thank you God!"

I only have to go thru it all twice; I don't know how my parents did it with FOUR!!

Good luck!!

The min I had the first child I knew my life would never be my own again.
I will only be as happy as my saddest child. I will only ever be as safe as I believe my child is.
I have unbelievable joy when my children are happy. Sunrises and sunsets are more beautiful and ice cream is sweeter.
I question everything, and everyone. Is this good for them? Is this fair? Is the doctor right? Am I right?

I was a lot smarter before kids!

I have learned that I can sleep through an alarm that is not for me, but the second my daughter's feet hit the floor, I am awake.

I have learned that I can lie and say, "Yes, you may take the van to the beach" when I really want to keep him home and close.

I have learned that I can be totally irritated one minute and totally forgiving the next. Yes, I will take you to the craft store and help you paint the Tower Of London til 12AM.

I hope I am more patient, but I know many days I am not. More stubborn. More vocal. More willing to say something to protect a child, my child or not. More safety conscious. DH says I smile more and laugh more when I am around DD. It is so cliche but she brings me joy.

I am more fulfilled than ever!

I can not watch or read crime shows in the same way, if at all!

This mini person in my life comes first and foremost. I see the world through her eyes and foster every single interest!

I have learned the true meaning of love!

Motherhood made me quit my corporate job, start a company so I could work from home, and hire a nanny to back me up during the workday! My world isn't centered around my child but she is front and center in my life.

I meticulously plan her meals, make sure she has daily entertainment, take work breaks to kiss her on the forehead and run around for a few minutes, and lately when I go to the mall all I see is baby stuff for her!

She's made me accept sleep depravation, fatigue, getting kicked by a sleepy baby at night, the smell of poop and the smell of puke. But then she runs over, puts her hands around my neck and kiss my cheek and I know it's all completely worth it.

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Motherhood made me quit my corporate job, start a company so I could work from home, and hire a nanny to back me up during the workday! My world isn't centered around my child but she is front and center in my life.

I meticulously plan her meals, make sure she has daily entertainment, take work breaks to kiss her on the forehead and run around for a few minutes, and lately when I go to the mall all I see is baby stuff for her!

She's made me accept sleep depravation, fatigue, getting kicked by a sleepy baby at night, the smell of poop and the smell of puke. But then she runs over, puts her hands around my neck and kiss my cheek and I know it's all completely worth it.

I like staying home with my DD on the weekend--no need to go out for entertainment.
She gets me tying things I would hesitate to do, like build elaborate set designs.
Work is no longer the only really important thing for me to take care of.
I'm nicer.
I'm more patient.
I buy dessert more often.
I go to bed earlier.
I have a fixed after work schedule.
I have found the real me, and I like her.

before kids- i used to love to read. that was my downtime.
after kids- i still love to read. it's my me time.
before kids-i had a great job/career.
after kids-i feel lost. i don't know who i am anymore.
before kids- i used to travel a lot
after kids-we still travel a lot, only now i get to experience new places through my children's eyes. i love the world they see.
so yes a lot has changed. i am very protective, i love them to the point of feeling pain when they aren't well. i love my life. the only thing is i don't know who i am anymore and that scares me. i don't need to work, nor do i want to work, as i think it's important for one parent to be at home at all times, but i wonder about the future when they are out of the home, college etc., what will happen then, and what will i do when that happens.

I feel like I am really an adult now.

My main change is that I found empathy for people in all situations.

I've become less particular about things. I'm more patient. (Sometimes!) I learned how to nap. I'm more emotional about things, especially sad things. But, I'm basically still me. I'm still competitive. I still love to read, even though I don't get to do as much of it anymore. I still hate to cook and clean. I think eventually I would have ended up this way, but having a kid ages you a lot faster! :)

I am a champion for lonely students. My son was popular with his peers, but I also taught at his school and was a fun teacher--so kids liekd him in return. However, I knew that he was not going to be an going person--and that scared me--he's is very introverted on his own.

So, I hope that my good in the world in helping other kids find friends will somehow riccochet back to my son.

Great question.