What do you miss pre-children? What do you love about being a Mom?

I think we are going to TTC sometime this year and I'm always thinking of what I won't be able to do or enjoy for the next 18 years or so

This is not meant to be a negative post at all - I'm just wondering what people miss about their life before they had a LO...The things I suspect to be common answers among moms would be sleep, privacy and sleep

I'm just trying to prepare myself a little bit (which I know in reality is not possible!). I know life is going to change a lot around here. I do know it's going to be worth those changes and there will be new things to look foward too in our lives but I'm just curious to see what other people miss about being a non-parent whether it's spontaneity, sleep, sex (I hope not! ) etc.

You can also add your favorite thing about being a Mom too I always like reading those!

Thanks!

Re: What do you miss pre-children? What do you love about being a Mom?

i miss being able to leave the house without wondering if im bringing DS or finding a babysitter. i miss being able to go away or just sleeping late!!

otherwise...i love everything else about being a mom and its totally worth it.

Re: What do you miss pre-children? What do you love about being a Mom?

Things I miss

Sleeping late would be #1 - I am up on the weekends by 6:30-7am with KJ

being able to go to happy hour with friends

what I love (which TRUMPS all the things I miss)

watching my children learn and blossom

hearing them say I love you mommy or you look so beautiful today (my dd compliments me all the time)

Unconditional love - no one can TOUCH the bond I have with my kids, no one !!!!! - the moment I laid eyes on them was by far the most amazing 2 moments of my life

Re: What do you miss pre-children? What do you love about being a Mom?

What I miss is being able to do things spontaneously - like go out to dinner or for ice cream.
I also miss being able to take a day off and do absolutely nothing.

But, I love, love, love being a mom more than anything.
Watching my kids grow and learn, listening to them laugh, seeing them dance and play, and so many more things I can't even begin to write here.

Re: What do you miss pre-children? What do you love about being a Mom?

I miss sleep.

I love how much my older daughter is communicating now. She learns new things every day and the things she comes up with are amazing and hysterical.

I love just spending time with the little one. Those quiet moments in the morning when I'm feeding her a bottle and she just sits and stares at me. Also she is starting to smile and laugh more and it's wonderful.

Re: What do you miss pre-children? What do you love about being a Mom?

I miss just being able to get up and go. Now we have to plan everything out (even if it's running to the store) to make sure someone can sit with DD.

I miss being able to sit around and relax. With DD she requires constant attention. Which is why my Apt looks the way it does lol

But i LOVEEEEEEEEEEEEE love love with all my heart how she looks at me and smiles. She knows when i'm in the room or not. She hears my voice and reacts instantly. She's such a happy baby now, she grows everyday. everyone absolutely LOVES her. She's good with everyone. I love looking at DH play with her. The bond between our little family is indescribable and I wouldn't change it for anything in the world.

Re: What do you miss pre-children? What do you love about being a Mom?

Like others have said, the number 1 thing I miss is just being able to get up and go do something spur of the moment. EVERYTHING now involves pre-planning whether it be going away for a weekend or just heading out to the grocery store because I forgot something.

That is really the only thing I find myself reminiscing about these days... "remember when we could just get up and go...?" Even the sleep hasn't been a big thing for me because I like getting up early and making the most of the day. My DD is a great sleeper though so I'm sure that has something to do with it.

But I lovvvvvvvve being a Mom and would absolutely NOT change a thing. And I'm very much looking forward to meeting my new baby boy in a few short weeks!

Message edited 6/8/2010 12:32:04 PM.

Re: What do you miss pre-children? What do you love about being a Mom?

I miss uninterrupted sleep. Even on the nights he sleeps through the night, I will wake up at any sound, thinking it is him. Sleeping in on the weekends is a close second.

I miss just thinking about myself at times. Before DS, I did have periods of time where I could just focus on me, DH can take care of himself. But now, it seems like I can't make plans or do anything without worrying how it affects DS or how to plan around his schedule or needs.

I miss being able to relax. I am not sure I have had more than an hour or two in 2 1/2 years where I could just kick back, relax and not worry about anything.

I miss never being thrown up on, peed on or pooped on. I miss having decent clothes that don't have stains on them.

The list of what I love about being a mom in infinitesimally longer than the above list. He is the light of my life and I can't imagine my life without him in it.

Re: What do you miss pre-children? What do you love about being a Mom?

I miss my sleep, and being able to just pick up and go out whenever without worry about finding a babysitter or bringing the kids with me. I also miss spending my money on myself

What I love could fill an encyclopedia series Their laughs and smiles, hugs, kisses, their adorable clothes, DD's loud giggles, how excited DS gets when DH or I come home, how they look SO much alike, cuddling on the couch on weekend mornings, the way they smell after a bath, the way DS puts his head on my shoulder when he is sleepy... I could go on forever!

Re: What do you miss pre-children? What do you love about being a Mom?

Definitely the ability to just get up and go and do whatever I need to do without thining about DS. Will we take him with us, can someone watch him, what we need to briong or not bring with us for him.

I also miss sleep becasue I wasn't a big sleeper before so I now I get less sleep than ever.

Other than those two things I LOVE having DS..he knows my voice, smiles at me when. He's starting to gigle and make all these beautiful and sometimes ulgy/weird faces...LOL. It'a an amazing feeling that's unlike anything you've ever felt before.

Re: What do you miss pre-children? What do you love about being a Mom?

not sure. so far we have been blessed to do the things we did before baby, just with a little more planning.

so I guess I could say being more devil may care?

but that is peanuts really.

there is NOTHING that I don't love about being my sons mom.

lost sleep equals more minutes with him during this fleeting time of infancy.

having to miss things b/c of him means that I get to be with him.

everything else will come together. our life will be what we want it to be.

there is nothing in this world better, more awesome, more everything, than the smell of his skin, the feel of his little fat hands on my face or caressing my arm, his little eyes looking up at me as he nurses, his infectious smile, his riotous laugh....

He is LIFE. He is LOVE. I am blessed beyond measure and hopelessly in love.

I cannot miss what does not compare.

Re: What do you miss pre-children? What do you love about being a Mom?

Really I have adapted well, the only things i miss are bring able to go to the gym or out for a run. My schedule and DH do not allow time for this

Also, vacations, I absolutely looove taking DS to see new things, but miss being able to stay out late and enjoy the nightlife, or actually ride a roller coaster with my husband ( we do the "swap" if just the three of us go away)

Other than that the only thing I miss is are those lazy days of sitting around and wasting a day with a book or movies.

ALl of it is 100% worth having my beautiful little boy in my life!!

There are NO REGRETS

Re: What do you miss pre-children? What do you love about being a Mom?

I miss the same things as everyone else.. being able to just do anything you want at the drop of a hat. I really miss sleep. I sort of miss working also.

I love when he grabs my face with his little drool spit hands & laughs. I love when I am doing something & catch him watching me. I love seeing his reaction when he discovers something new.

Re: What do you miss pre-children? What do you love about being a Mom?

I miss sleep!

I love everything else about being a mom. Just SOOO miss the sleep. Sleeping till 8am would be a dream come true at this point!

Re: What do you miss pre-children? What do you love about being a Mom?

I miss sleeping late and going out on the town with DH with no worries about a sitter or having to be Mommy in the morning.

I love...everything about being a Mom. I wouldn't give this up for anything. I love the good, the bad and the tantrums all together. I never thought I could feel this way but I'm amazed by how strongly I do feel.

Re: What do you miss pre-children? What do you love about being a Mom?

I miss being able to just get up and go do something either by myself or with my hubby.
What do I love about being a mommy....EVERYTHING!!!
I love getting my baby up in the morning and looking at her big, beautiful smile, I like feeding her and watching the expressions on her face as she eats, I love playing with her and listening to those amazing chuckles.
When I got pregnant, I was trying, so it was kind of a shock and I didn't know how I would handle giving up the things I like, ut in all honesty, I don't even miss it!

Re: What do you miss pre-children? What do you love about being a Mom?

I miss being a sound sleeper. Now I wake up for any little noise. I also miss leaving my house with my purse and that's it. There's a gazillion thigns I have to take when I'm going out with DS now. I'm also a very scheduled mom, so I base my day around DS's nap time. I miss doing whatever I wanted at any time.

Life after children though is worth every little inconvinience. The hugs and sloppy kisses, the smiles, hearing "mama"
It all melts your heart!

Re: What do you miss pre-children? What do you love about being a Mom?

I miss naps. You know the kind of heavenly little sleep that just comes over you on a rainy Sunday afternoon as you laze on the couch reading a book??? yeah that.

What I love... everyone has touched on it. But I consider each day right now as having a front row seat to a miracle

Re: What do you miss pre-children? What do you love about being a Mom?

Thanks guys!

Ophelia I like how you said that your missed sleep = more time with your LO...that is a really good way to look at it, especially since you always hear the parents of older children saying how quickly they grow up...I will remember that, it's a good perspective to have...

Re: What do you miss pre-children? What do you love about being a Mom?

Posted by Ophelia


I cannot miss what does not compare.

Re: What do you miss pre-children? What do you love about being a Mom?

Miss: Being able to leave the house whenever I want and quickly.

Love: Everything!!!

Re: What do you miss pre-children? What do you love about being a Mom?

Miss: Sleeping past 7 am and going to the movies

Love: Going thru childhood again thru the eyes of my children

Re: What do you miss pre-children? What do you love about being a Mom?

I think it is the most common & what almost every other poster said

1- being able to just get up & go someplace without pre-planning & worrying about naps, feedings & crankiness

2- especially in the summer, just taking an afternoon to just sit in the sun! This is the first summer in 12 years I am home all week & I just want to lounge

with that all said, I would not trade my place as a mom for anything. The everyday joys of seeing my son smile & just hearing him babbles makes me smile. He is worth every minute I gave up to be a mom.

Re: What do you miss pre-children? What do you love about being a Mom?

Like everyone else, I miss sleep, being spontaneous, and being able to just have a lazy day to myself. I also miss being able to sit down to dinner with DH, now we eat in shifts

What I love, though, could fill volumes:
I love being Adam's mom, watching him grow and learn everyday is a blessing.
I love the way he looks into my eyes and clutches my finger with his little hands while I feed him.
My heart melts every time he smiles and giggles at me.
I love when he nuzzles under my chin and falls asleep.
I love seeing DH interact with him and watching him become the great father I always knew he'd be.
And finally, as someone else mentioned, the unconditional love. I always thought I knew how strong a bond between mother and child was because of my very good relationship with my mom, but it doesn't even come even close....the love a mother feels for her child is indescribable. I love Adam with every fiber of my being!!

Re: What do you miss pre-children? What do you love about being a Mom?

Miss: sleep, a quick run out, isn't so quick anymore.

LOVE: when I come home and he runs to the gate to great me with his ta ta toothy smile screaming MAMAAAAAAAAAAAA!!