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Becoming a Mom Changes You
When you decide to start a family or get pregnant often you will say that you won’t let a child change you or your life. Or at least not change you much. You will still work out and hang out with your friends. Right?!?
The reality is though it does change your life. You used to have 24 hours in a day and you allotted those hours to certain tasks. The 24 hours were filled with sleep, work, eating meals, shopping, cleaning, entertainment, and everything else that makes up life.
Once you have a baby you plan to care for that baby right?
How much time do you think that takes?
How many hours will your child require?
Those hours have to come from somewhere.
I am not making a blanket statement and saying moms don’t have time for the gym. Some do make time for the gym. What I am saying is to keep up certain habits you have to give up other habits, sleep less, or become ridiculously efficient at getting stuff done. There are only 24 hours in a day.
These are some examples of how my life has changed now that I am a mom. For you, this may look different. It is all about priorities.
1. I eat faster.
I simply feel like I have to rush because you never know when your baby will cry or your toddler will decide they are ready to be done and throw a fit. Yes, it is important to teach them patience, but the reality is I eat waaaay faster now that I have a child.
2. My husband and I eat out less.
Depending on the age of your baby, toddler, or child some phases are harder to take to restaurants. Like that 4 to 6 month phase when they no longer want to sit in the infant car seat but aren’t yet great at sitting in a high chair. They want to roll and explore and a restaurant just isn’t an environment for that.
We believe our child has pretty good table manners and even still we don’t feel like eating out is worth it.
If we do go out we want to fully enjoy our meal and that is hard to do when you are worried about your child behaving.
3. I wake up earlier.
I have never been a morning person. I said I don’t know what I’ll do when I have children. I just love to sleep. I’m talking about an 8 to 9 hour night as a college student and then a young adult. I was never a night owl or an early bird.
I like and value sleep.
Whelp now I don’t even bother setting an alarm. I am up around 7:30 every day. If I make it to 7:45 I am shocked!
4. I don’t drink as much water.
Pop, coffee, tea, no thanks. I am through and through a water drinker. Always have and always will be. However, I find myself drinking less because of my child.
When they were a baby it was harder because you have them in your arms. Then they get to that 8 to 10-month-old phase where they want anything you eat or drink and grab at your stuff. Then they are cruising the furniture so your water is no longer safe on the couch side table. Then we had a toddler and the rules were drinks stay in the kitchen.
My point is I drink less water.
5. I am less particular about my laundry.
My old routine was sorting by regular clothing and workout clothing. Anything else got sorted based on textures. On occasion, I would do a delicate load with dresses and such items. Since becoming a mom I am way less particular. Clothing I never would have previously put in the dryer now gets thrown in. My loads are not sorted as well as previously.
I just don’t have the time or mental energy to prioritize my clothing.
What is funny though is the time I now put into spotting my child’s clothing. Whether from blowouts and spit-ups to now blackberry stains.
7. I’ve let myself go a bit.
This is me keeping it real. I am not happy with where I am physically since giving birth 18 months ago. If I were 4 months postpartum I would not be saying this, but I’ve had time. Honestly, after giving birth and while breastfeeding I was looking pretty good. The problem for me was the increased appetite while breastfeeding did not go away after breastfeeding stopped.
It isn’t all physical either. I don’t have the strength and endurance I used to have. Getting in shape is something I need to start prioritizing for my health.
I just don’t want you to feel alone if you are struggling with this.
8. I don’t pee alone.
Sometimes you just want to be alone. But you don’t get that as much anymore. Also when you have a toddler who gets into stuff it is sometimes better to have them with you.
9. My husband and I don’t get lazy weekends.
We love spending time with our toddler. They are an absolute blast. However, when Sunday around 2 pm rolls around chilling and taking an afternoon nap sounds glorious. But with a young child gone are the days of lazy afternoons.
If you have a good napper you can take advantage of that time of course, but it isn’t the same.
10. I spend less time on my phone.
It can be difficult but I do make an effort to put my phone away at times. I do not want my baby growing up thinking it is more important than them. A phone is a tool, but should not consume your life.
Along this same point, I do not respond to texts as well as I did before becoming a mom. Don’t get offended if you don’t hear from me. I never ignore or play games with someone. If I didn’t respond it is because I truly forgot or got busy.
11. Our house isn’t as clean.
My husband and I keep a tiny home. We are particular. Our house by most standards is still pretty clear, but we see where it was previously better kept. This is one of those areas where we don’t make as much time for household chores.
12. I don’t party.
I was never a crazy fun person before becoming a mom, but now it is darn near impossible to get me to go out for a crazy night. It just isn’t worth it. Being hungover and watching a baby or toddler the next day is rough.
13. I worry more.
I worry about my child. Whether they are with me or apart I worry. It is like your heart beating or your lungs breathing. It is always there mildly in the background. Our daycare has an app you can check. It isn’t a video type, but they give updates on the day and sometimes share pictures. If I had to guess I would say I check this app anywhere from 2-8 a day.
Conclusion
Becoming a mom is amazing. It changes you though.
Be prepared for these changes, because at times it can be hard.
You lose a bit of yourself and your freedom when you have a child.
They are your responsibility and take up your time as they should.
Make an effort though to find balance and ways to be the best mom you can be while still being the best version of yourself.
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