Here are 15 things in particular that you are bound to relate to if you recently had your first child:
1. You worry about everything
With new moms you are constantly aware of the dangers and hazards that surround you at every turn. Even watching your child in the pool can get you worried as you think about the dangers children face in the water.
2. You forget what its like to get your 8 hours
6 hours uninterrupted sleep is now heaven. Gone are the days where you used to have a full 8 hours most nights – they are so far behind you that you often forget what it feels like to be completely rested. Just the thought of 8 hours makes you feel like superwoman!
3. You are all too familiar with fear
Fear is something that is part of your everyday life. There are a lot of ‘firsts’ involved with being a new mom and while you are constantly fearful you always have the strength to do what needs to be done.
4. You can’t stand to see your child sad
A little bit inside of you dies when you see your child sad. Whether it’s because they fell over in the park or their favourite teddy bear has been misplaced, you feel terrible that you can’t provide a quick solution to turn that frown upside down.
5. You always put your child first
Overnight you have become one selfless human being. You put your needs so far behind your child’s that they are almost non-existent in your mind.
6. You never have enough time in the day
Between getting to the shop to buy food supplies, changing your child and the million other things on your to-do list it can often feel like there just aren’t enough hours in the day. That being said, you feel as if you achieve something significant everyday and that is one fantastic feeling!
7. You watch your child while they sleep
You love your child so much that you’ll often find yourself watching them sleep, even just for a minute. It is impossible not to savour the peace and quiet, but at the same time you look forward to what the next day brings.
8. You treasure every moment
You have a new found appreciation for life and the camera is your best friend. Even a trip to the supermarket is a chance for you to take photos of your child and savour the memories. Somehow in the back of your mind you know that the teenage years will rapidly creep up on you.
9. You know that your child isn’t perfect
While you would never tell anyone, you know deep down that your child isn’t perfect… but they are as close as you can get!
10. You count down the days to when you can fit in your regular clothes again
Pregnancy is over but you still can’t fit into your pre-pregnancy clothes. You’ll try all the diets and exercise in the world but you just haven’t quite got there yet.
11. You have a humongous appetite
All of a sudden you have a humongous appetite – you’ll even find yourself secretly nibbling at a bag of crisps as you prepare dinner for yourself and the family.
12. You don’t get offered a seat on public transport any more
You liked having a guaranteed seat on public transport when you were pregnant, but for some reason people don’t readily give up their seat for you any more and you often find yourself standing during busy hours like a regular person.
13. You have no idea what’s going on in your neighbourhood
You used to love a good chin wag to find out what was going on in your neighbourhood but all of a sudden you are out of the loop. You now have to rely solely on Facebook to get your dose of the local gossip
14. You have to listen to your child-free friends talk about their weekends
Your friends who don’t have children talk about going for weekend breaks or a night out on the town and you pretend not to be envious. For a second you feel jealous of their freedom but then you realise that you have something so much more rewarding in your life.
15. You wouldn’t swap it for the world
Despite any perceived disadvantages you wouldn’t swap your life for the world.
