Did you change a lot after you had the baby?

for instance, were you once really a 'cool' person who suddenly got goofy? did you go from being a mature adult to talking in a high pitched baby voice all the time? i know it sounds silly but i see women at the store with kids and i wonder 'hmmm, what were they like before they had kids?' were they always this geeky? (and i say that in the nicest way possible!) yet then i see these moms who are so with it...you know, like they didn't really change how they dressed or acted.

I think I pretty much stayed the same, only my priorities shifted. I think all moms have that 'baby talk' time, but I certainly had not let that consume my life.
Now that my son is older, I talk to him for the most part like I would anyone else. I have been called a 'cool mom' by many, but I try to be an effective mom.
Having a child will definately bring on many changes, but you will only change as much as you let yourself.

I have changed SO much since becoming a mom! I have found it extremely hard to hold on to the person I used to be. I think the key is taking the time to be alone. It's tough...particularly since I'm a stay-at-home mom but now that she is getting a little older and not so dependent on me, I get to break away every now and then.
I know I'll never be the 'old me' and that's fine..great, in fact. I love being a mom. It has made me really look at life differently. Things seem so much more beautiful now. Life has more purpose and meaning and I never have a really bad day.
My advice to you, and all first time moms-to-be, is really value whatever time you can take to be alone. Even if it is only ten minutes while you're in the shower. Take all the extra help that is offered - you don't need to be super-mom!
I don't think any parent ever returns to their pre-baby identity. It's easy to get completely wrapped up in your new roles. Just remember to take breaks! Often!

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Posted by Rainmama

I have changed SO much since becoming a mom! I have found it extremely hard to hold on to the person I used to be. I think the key is taking the time to be alone. It's tough...particularly since I'm a stay-at-home mom but now that she is getting a little older and not so dependent on me, I get to break away every now and then.
I know I'll never be the 'old me' and that's fine..great, in fact. I love being a mom. It has made me really look at life differently. Things seem so much more beautiful now. Life has more purpose and meaning and I never have a really bad day.
My advice to you, and all first time moms-to-be, is really value whatever time you can take to be alone. Even if it is only ten minutes while you're in the shower. Take all the extra help that is offered - you don't need to be super-mom!
I don't think any parent ever returns to their pre-baby identity. It's easy to get completely wrapped up in your new roles. Just remember to take breaks! Often!

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You took the words right out of my mouth!!

I went & did laundry last night while Hubby watched Patrick. I was sitting there enjoying my quiet time!! LOL

I would agree with both mommies that rang in so far. The key for me is balance. I used to operate on 'me' time. Now, with two children, it is on their time. I need to back my day up to get out of bed even earlier so that I can prep for the day. I learned the hard way that I need to take care of me first (i.e. shower, get dressed, etc.) so that we can get out the door.
The biggest change for me was converting from either no purse or tiny girlie purse / handbag to a big whopping diaper bag that holds everything!!!! I also switched my 'fashion' from drycleanable to machine wash - ha ha.
Priorities have shifted . . .I have been able to cut WAY back on work outside of the home, BUT I now own my own biz. And probably what keeps me most grounded is GTG's w/ other moms from mother's clubs or neighbors, etc.
Oh - and I no longer sleep restfully - but I am totally comfortable with that

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Posted by soxfan

I learned the hard way that I need to take care of me first (i.e. shower, get dressed, etc.) so that we can get out the door.

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what do you mean by this?

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Posted by IrishTracy

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Posted by Rainmama

I have changed SO much since becoming a mom! I have found it extremely hard to hold on to the person I used to be. I think the key is taking the time to be alone. It's tough...particularly since I'm a stay-at-home mom but now that she is getting a little older and not so dependent on me, I get to break away every now and then.
I know I'll never be the 'old me' and that's fine..great, in fact. I love being a mom. It has made me really look at life differently. Things seem so much more beautiful now. Life has more purpose and meaning and I never have a really bad day.
My advice to you, and all first time moms-to-be, is really value whatever time you can take to be alone. Even if it is only ten minutes while you're in the shower. Take all the extra help that is offered - you don't need to be super-mom!
I don't think any parent ever returns to their pre-baby identity. It's easy to get completely wrapped up in your new roles. Just remember to take breaks! Often!

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You took the words right out of my mouth!!

I went & did laundry last night while Hubby watched Patrick. I was sitting there enjoying my quiet time!! LOL

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LOL! I never thought I'd enjoy running errands alone soooooo much!

Cocoa! Hi sorry actually had to do some work to day and stepped away from the computer. What I mean is that I used to (when I was a 'brand new mommy') get my daughter ready: bathe, feed, change, etc) and then myself thinking I could then go out for the day. But by the time this all happened, she either needed a change, or to be fed again or . .something.
Now, mommy gets ready first. Even with a 3yr old and 1.5 yr old, at least no one is waiting for me. and more likely kiddies will not have undone what I have done (my son - the baby is now into taking his shoes and pants off -ha ha). Just simple coordination I guess