Hubby and I have been TTC since last December. We cannot wait to have children. Sometimes I sit and daydream about what it'll be like to be a parent. How does it change you and your life? Is it really the toughest job you'll ever love?
2006-10-12 03:48:36 · 20 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Parenting
wow I've read the answers so far - and thank goodness I had a tissue box near me!! You all sound like such wonderful parents. Thanks so much for your input, I appreciate it.
2006-10-12 04:04:00 · update #1
When I first found out I was pregnant.. I had dreams and visions of how I was going to parent my child. I read books upon books and learnt everything I could about everything that could come my way. But the time he was born.. I thought I was an expert.. NO SUCH LUCK..
Being a parent is never going to be like you thought it was going to be. All kids are different, and you never know what's going to work, or what isn't going to work. You're going to feel like you've made mistakes, you're going to feel like you want to pull your hair out.. you're going to be tired.. you'll hardly ever be wearing clean clothes.. you're going to pray for some peace and quiet (more than once) and you're going to (sometimes) think that it's the hardest thing in the world.
Then your 2 month old will smile at you for the first time, and you'll cry, then he'll laugh for the first time, and you'll call everyone you know. Then he'll roll over and you'll start watching his every move to make sure he never has the chance to hurt himself. Then he starts crawling.. and without a second thought, every pretty thing in every one of your rooms is going to get packed away so that he doesn't get them and hurt himself. Then he's going to start walking and you're going to be happy and sad at the same time because your little baby is growing so fast.
And just when you think you're at your wits end.. he's going to smile up at you and tell you that he loves you.. and nothing else is going to matter. Your shirt is stained and your pants are dirty, your dishes aren't done and the floor has cookie crumbs all over it.. supper should have been started 20 minutes ago.. and you don't have a clean bra because you haven't had a chance to do the laundry.. but for an hour.. you're going to be floating on a cloud because your little one just told you that he loved you.
It's tough.. it's stressful, there's no right way to do it.. but you'll love it. You'll love being a parent more than you've ever loved anything in your life. That little bundle of joy is going to turn your life upside down.. and when you look at it afterwards.. you'll never wish to have it turned right side up again.. because you could never imagine not having this little person.. that makes you laugh, and cry, and love like you've never loved before.
2006-10-12 04:03:16 · answer #1 · answered by Imani 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I agree that being a parent is what you make of it. If you constantly stress, worry and miss your "old life" you won't enjoy the experience. If you just embrace parenthood for what it is you will love everything. I honestly can't imagine life before my daughter arrived. She's made me a better person and filled me with a love I never knew existed. Seeing her smiling face every morning starts my day off right. Of course there will be difficult days but you get through them. Anyway, the fantastic days way outnumber the rough days.
I wish you the best of luck while you TTC. You will love being parents!
Oh yes, one tip..try not to over-worry..don't sweat the small stuff. Worrying all the time takes away from the happiness that a baby brings you. A mom of three gave me this tip.
2006-10-12 11:02:33 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
OK now let me tell you. You know how people tell you oh it's going to hard and cost you a lot of money really for me I was so wrapped up in being a mom it didn't really change much. Ya you have to wake up in the middle of the night to feed the baby but if you look at it like that is your time with the baby and no one else then you well be fine.
You see when I had my son i was 18 and Alot of people said that I wouldn't be able to do it. But last year I got the best mothers award so I guess I doing something right. Like I said as long as you look at everyday even the bad one as a blessing you will be just fine. And just to add you already sound like you will be a really great mom. good luck, you will be in my prays love mammas0212
2006-10-12 10:56:38 · answer #3 · answered by mammas0212 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's very satisfying. The enjoyment you get from the child is something you will never experience with anything else. I thought parenting would be different. I feel that it isn't to much of a change. Sometimes it gets hectic but it's well worth it. Everyone said it was the hardest job to do and I'm seeing that slowly. I don't feel any different but your life does change but only for the better. Good luck and best wishes.
2006-10-12 10:58:24 · answer #4 · answered by aimstir31 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
MUCH better than I ever thought, and I had a good idea what it would be like. The years go by much too quickly! You exactly put it right - it's hard work, but worth every second of the effort and sacrifice.
Don't dwell too much on "getting" pregnant... that really isn't mentally healthy. It took us two years, without worrying about it or testing or anything. Just enjoyed each other.
2006-10-12 13:12:13 · answer #5 · answered by Lydia 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You know it is the toughest job but in the same breath it is the most rewarding thing you will ever do. I have 3 kids and I cannot imagine my life without them. Even with all the fighting and whining and bickering they do all day at night I thank God for my 3 blessings from above.
2006-10-12 10:56:58 · answer #6 · answered by sensual_sweet1 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Our baby was a 'happy accident' so we didn't dwell on the pros and cons of impending parenthood until it was too late to change our minds anyway. It is truely the most amazing blessing anyone could bestow. I love my son unconditionally and give thanks everyday for his being so perfect - I never knew I could feel so happy. The sound of his laughing, and the innocence in his smile still bring tears of joy to my heart. I also love my partner more now than ever because we have this precious gift that we have given one another. Tiring - yes. Stressful - yes. But totally totally worth it. Keep trying - your time will come and I hope parenthood brings you the same happiness.
2006-10-12 10:55:47 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
It has its ups and downs. When my little girl was born,we had a lot of problems, but as she grew older she was the sweetest thing i had in all my life ,i simply adore her and she is now 4 1/2 years old. I never regretted having her and think about a little brother or sister. In my oppinion ,that whould be the best thing that can happen to any parent. Good luck to you and your hubby.
2006-10-12 10:55:46 · answer #8 · answered by spatz 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I have to say that I have 2 suprise babies. We never intended to have children because of everything people said. Well we have them now and would not trade them for anything. No it is not what I thought it was going to be like. It is MUCH BETTER. We were always told they would slow us down we couldn't go and do, ect. Well it has slowed us down but the things we don't do are things we only did out of boredom the things we enjoy doing they go with us, and they LOVE it. Good luck to you. I hope your baby finds you soon. I say that because I have decided that we don't choose them, they pick us! And I have thanked God everyday for the last 3 years that he lets them do that.
2006-10-12 10:57:42 · answer #9 · answered by Tara R 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Its great it limits you sometimes but it is the best thing ever when you have a little one giving you hugs and kisses saying they love you, and wanting you to kiss their boo boo to make it feel better, I got pregnant at 18 and lost some friends cause they were young themselves but if you are a adult and have mature friends they will be just as excited to see them, although kids can be pains sometimes it will most definitely be the best thing that happens in life.
2006-10-12 11:12:20 · answer #10 · answered by Lisha 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋