Before I embarked on the wild journey of parenthood, I wish someone had given me a heads-up about these important things:
- Savor Sleep: Enjoy those precious hours of sleep while you can. Take naps like they’re a rare gem—because they are! Treat yourself to some luxurious sheets and spend an entire day lounging in bed. The next time you find yourself in bed all day, you might be nursing a sick child, and trust me, it’s not nearly as enjoyable.
- Love Your Body: Embrace your figure as it is, because after kids, it may not be the same! Expect a little droopiness, some stretching, and yes, even bigger feet. So go ahead and treat yourself to a pedicure and show off those feet while you can.
- Drive Something Fun: Whether it’s a snazzy convertible or a quirky Beetle, relish in the joy of driving a fun car. Blast your favorite tunes and sing your heart out. Soon enough, you’ll be cruising in a minivan, harmonizing with The Laurie Berkner Band—even when you’re solo.
- Travel Spontaneously with Your Partner: Take the chance to go on adventures with your spouse. Family trips are fantastic, but they can’t quite compare. Good luck finding a babysitter for three kids under five when the travel bug bites!
- Dine at Fancy Restaurants: Treat yourself to exquisite meals. Take your time, savor each bite, and indulge in that five-course feast. Before you know it, you’ll be eating grilled cheese leftovers at chain restaurants. And if you do manage to get to a nice spot post-kids, remember you’ll be forking over babysitting fees that would’ve covered a lavish meal.
- Be Spontaneous: Take off on a last-minute adventure. Pack your bags, or just the clothes on your back, and go! Once you have kids, every outing will require a strategic plan.
- Take a Day for Yourself: Call in sick and spend the day doing whatever brings you joy. Just remember, moms rarely get a day off, and you’ll likely find yourself nursing sick kids tenfold after your own sick day.
- Treat Yourself: Invest in high-quality items that you’ll cherish. Once you have kids, the cost-benefit analysis shifts dramatically—you’ll find yourself calculating how many diapers you could buy instead of those designer sunglasses. So go ahead, splurge now!
- Enjoy Privacy in the Bathroom: Close the door when you pee. It’ll be years before you get to do that without an audience again!
- Question Your Parents: Roll your eyes and think you know better than your folks. But trust me, once you have kids, you’ll realize they had a whole lot more wisdom than you initially credited them for. Ignorance is bliss, after all.
This article was originally published on Jan. 8, 2010. For more insights on the journey to parenthood, be sure to check out our other blog posts, like the one on home insemination options at this link. And if you’re looking for a reliable resource on artificial insemination, visit this page. For more in-depth information on intrauterine insemination, you can refer to this excellent resource here.
In summary, before you dive into the chaos of parenting, take some time to enjoy the simple pleasures of life—sleep, spontaneity, and indulgence. You’ll thank yourself later!