What changes when you have a baby?

18 years ago

I got this in my email....loved it! I'm using some of these on my scrapbook pages!

What changes when you have a baby? A better question may be: What doesn't change? Here, writer and mom Rebecca Woolf lists her most notable post-baby observations. Then scroll down to read our favorite comments from readers about how their babies changed their lives.

1. You finally stop to smell the roses, because your baby is in your arms.

2. Where you once believed you were fearless, you now find yourself afraid.

3. The sacrifices you thought you made to have a child no longer seem like sacrifices.

4. You respect your body ... finally.

5. You respect your parents and love them in a new way.

6. You find that your baby's pain feels much worse than your own.

7. You believe once again in the things you believed in as a child.

8. You lose touch with the people in your life whom you should have banished years ago.

9. Your heart breaks much more easily.

You think of someone else 234,836,178,976 times a day.
Every day is a surprise.
Bodily functions are no longer repulsive. In fact, they please you. (Hooray for poop!)
You look at your baby in the mirror instead of yourself.
You become a morning person.
Your love becomes limitless, a superhuman power.

And from our readers...

1. "You discover how much there is to say about one tooth." Â Ashley's mom

2. "You finally realize that true joy doesn't come from material wealth." Â Anonymous

3. "You now know where the sun comes from." Â Charlotte

4. "You'd rather buy a plastic tricycle than those shoes that you've been dying to have." Â Sophie's mom

5. "You realize that although sticky, lollipops have magical powers." Â Roxanne

6. "You don't mind going to bed at 9 p.m. on Friday night." Â Kellye

7. "Silence? What's that?" Â Anonymous

8. "You realize that the 15 pounds you can't seem to get rid of are totally worth having." Â Brenda

9. "You discover an inner strength you never thought you had." Â Ronin and Brookie's mom

"You no longer rely on a clock Â your baby now sets your schedule." Â Thomas' mom
"You give parents with a screaming child an 'I-know-the-feeling' look instead of a 'Can't-they-shut-him-up?' one." Â Jaidyn's mom
"Your dog Â who used to be your 'baby' Â becomes just a dog." Â Kara
"You take the time for one more hug and kiss even if it means you'll be late." Â Tracey
"You learn that taking a shower is a luxury." Â Jayden's mom
"You realize that you can love a complete stranger." Â Dezarae's mom

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Comments (6)

grammahony
18 years ago
You realize where your mom was coming from with all her worries about you. Like, don't run with that pencil. You'll poke out your eye.
Leslie
grammahony
18 years ago
PS. I'll be watching this one, and printing up some answers. I'm giving my niece a baby shower in about 3 weeks, and will give them to her.
Leslie
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rosemaryt
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I'm forwarding this to a friend who's expecting. She's still thinking that the new baby will be little more than a temporary blip in her social calendar! I keep telling her, nothing will ever be the same after you see that baby's face for the first time and she keeps telling me, "Oh, that may be true for other women, but not for me!"

God bless the naive!

:)
flowerpotmama
18 years ago
You can nap all day with the baby and not feel one sliver of guilt.

(of course this only applies to the first baby...how I miss those lazy days in bed) :)

You don't shop for yourself anymore.

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Changing a diaper is not nearly as bad when it's your own child you're changing.

Endless pictures of your pets change into endless pictures of your baby.

What changes? Pretty much everything. And I would never go back. :)

I got that same list today in my babycenter email and I quite enjoyed it. Thanks for thinking of posting it! You rock.

Danielle
stephanie_in_ga
18 years ago
My reading material changed. Now my favorite books have pictures.
Jodi_SoCal
18 years ago
You redefine "normal". :-)

Jodi-

What changes when you have a baby?

Comments (6)

grammahony

grammahony

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rosemaryt

flowerpotmama

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