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Becoming A Parent Has Changed My Life For The Better
For those of you who read my blog regularly, you know about my excitement of becoming a parent since I had my first child last year. Being a first-time mom, becoming a parent has changed me in so many ways. Motherhood is the greatest experience of my life.
Back in March, I wrote a post titled 5 Things I No Longer Do Since Becoming A Mom.
Today I am sharing with you five things that have changed me since becoming a parent.
Reading back through my post from March, I noticed a big difference between the two.
The March post was more about superficial or materialistic things, very different to the changes I am sharing with you today.
While I was pregnant, it seemed like everyone who already had kids was eager to tell my hubby and I about the changes becoming a parent would bring to our lives.
We heard a lot of stories, but as all parents know, only one story applies to you. Yours.
So here are the five ways becoming a parent has changed me.
I hope some of you will identify with me.
1. More Empathy
Empathy is the feeling you understand and share another person’s experiences and emotions or the ability to share someone else’s feelings.
I have always had a lot of empathy for others which I learned from having lived in different countries and experiencing other cultures. Since becoming a mom, my empathy level has increased tremendously.
I feel empathy for my little one on a scale I’ve never experienced. My empathy for others has grown, making me a more understanding person.
2. Crying More
Not the “I’m so sad, sob sob, woe is me” kind of crying. I cry when I see cute commercials or a movie with a kid achieving great success. I guess this ties in with empathy.
I also used to love watching Dateline, lol, or other real-life murder mysteries. Since having my little one, I cannot watch a single episode of any such shows.
Television shows that involve kidnappings, murder, sickness of kids are a no go for me. It is just too painful. This is because I can now fully understand, or rather, imagine what the parents of those children go through. Utter and complete hell. My heart cannot take it.
3. Being Spontaneous
Having a baby means you cannot plan everything. You can try but you won’t succeed. It doesn’t work. I learned the benefits of flexibility and spontaneity very quickly.
Assess the situation then decide on what to do.
If you are too worried about being punctual, getting messy or dirty, bending the rules etc, you will find yourself constantly frustrated.
Let go, and see how you can find funny moments and make memories, even in the craziest of situations.
I had to remember this that time we went to Malta on go on a crazy disastrous tour bus…. when you are done reading this post, you can read all about it.
Life doesn’t always work out the way you plan it. You must be able to go with the flow.
4. Letting Negativity Go
Let go of your guilt of not being a supermom. All parents have their moments or bad days.
Kids have bad days too, so don’t get down on yourself.
Feeling guilt from returning to work after maternity leave? Let it go.
I am enjoying being a working mom and you should too!
If you are a stay at home mom or dad and feel you are not perfect, that’s ok.
You are not perfect, no one is. Enjoy the time with your little one. You both deserve it.
We all go through emotional ups and downs.
Let go of the negativity you speak to yourself and replace them with positive affirmations.
You will not only be a better parent but preserve your sanity too.
Feelings follow thoughts; they don’t precede them, so keep a positive outlook on life.
And last, but not least….
5. Being Happy
I am so much happier since becoming a mom. Being a parent is rich and rewarding.
You get back tenfold everything you put into it. Happiness is a habit, so value what you do.
Savour those great moments and feel grateful for them. You will never get them back.
Kids love to see their parents smiling and laughing.
You’ll discover many new things about yourself as a parent. Things that strengthen you and make you vulnerable.
Being a parent means to forever have your heart walking around outside your body.
Have you experienced any emotional changes since becoming a parent?
I would love to know if you experienced any different emotional changes or any of the ones listed above.
Share them with me in the comments section below.
Pin this for reading later and of course to share. 🙂
36 comments
Im different person niw as a Mom but its so good that we can change for better
I don’t have any children yet so I really enjoyed this post. It’s really highlights how being a parent protects you in a way from superficial concerns. Parenting requires your full attention.
Oh my gosh I absolutely love your quote “Happiness is a habit. Cultivate it.” There could not be more truth……
I hadn’t thought about #1-2 much before, but YES YES YES on #3-5! Esp. #3. I used to have my day planned out to the minute. That just doesn’t happen anymore, but I’ve learned to just roll with it, work around everyone else’s schedules, and focus on how blessed I am to have this beautiful family rather than get bent out of shape when plans go by the wayside! 🙂
You got it all right! I used to be such a negative person and I would let things get in the way of my happiness.. Not anymore when our boy arrived.
Definitely more empathy and letting go of trying to be perfect has been a significant change for me to embrace parenthood. Thank you for sharing – parenting is full of ups and downs but it’s good to focus on the positive aspects it brings to our lives.
[…] Becoming a parent really changes how you worry. […]
all of these are so true!! especially the tv shows- i can’t warch anything where something bad happens to the child! my heart can’t handle it!
Parenting does have it’s way of making you better!
I definitely agree with these! I’m a better person because of motherhood.
I agree with all of these! This is a very honest post! Thanks for sharing.
Yes! I agree with all of these!! Becoming a parent changes you in so many ways, but so many great ways!! I def do cry more and my kids are getting older, doesn’t go away
[…] all love showing off our kids and expressing our joy when they reach […]
Oh, It’s good changes! <3 Thanks for sharing your feelings and thoughts. I love reading on positive changes after becoming a parent, it's refreshing in the middle of all people whining on their lack of sleep etc… See the good in everything!
All great points, Sheri! Becoming a parent changes you in all the right ways.
Amazing post Sheri. Even I´m not a Mother yet, but maybe It will come soon. So great to read your story and I love seeing kids and love to play with them when I see kids from my friends or even from my neighbor. Even when I went shopping with my hubby, I always so happy when I saw some cute and pretty clothes for kiddos even I don´t have kids yet. Thank you for sharing this parenthood.
Kintan XOX,
Thank you Kintan! I appreciate your feedback,. I am so glad that you already love kids and playing with them. It will give you some practice ahead of time. When you become a mom, you will see it is the greatest thing in the whole entire world. 🙂
Very inspiring.You are going to be a great mom. I’m very happy for you.
Thank you so much Valerie!
Crying still continues here too. But they are super happy tears, as oldest has been applying to colleges. I can’t believe that he is at this point, but I am so proud of him!
Oh congrats on your oldest heading to college! Another milestone achieved! Is it true that the time has flown by so quickly?
Hello Sheri and thanks for sharing us how wonderful to become a parent. Even I myself is excited to become one in the future 🙂
I think you will be a fantastic mom Blair. Your upbeat, loving and caring nature will make you a complete natural.
Couldn’t agree more with this post. I shared it to my birth group:)
Most of these resonate with me as I am an educator and have worked in schools with 1400 middle schoolers, and now 450. They bring out a side of you that you didn’t know you had and I appreciate my time practicing with teenagers before I have a few of my own.
I’m not yet a parent myself but know my friends that are much less selfish and more empathetic. I can’t wait one day to be one!
These are so true! I have friends who are now parents and they exhibit these traits now- especially the crying one! I also notice that they show much more empathy.
I have learned more from my kids than any adult. They have taught me to be honest. And yes, letting negativity go and being spontaneous are two more things. I also bring out the kid within me when I’m with them.
And the crying doesn’t stop, my kids are 8 & 11 and I watched a show last night where a wife and baby died and I had waterworks flowing. That one stays with you. Good post!
Great post I have a little sneak peak of what I am in store for … 🙂 Since becoming pregnant I had to stop watching those horrbile TV shows. I even debated about getting rid of my Facebook because of all the negativity in the world and in my news stream, but because of my blog I chose to keep it.
I think for your blog you should keep it too, block out any and all negativity. Congratulations on the new addition to your family Nicole! Wishing you the very best. xoxox S.
Sounds like some beautiful changes, I love it when you can look back and see how much you have changed from life changing experiences.
Lennae xxx
Definitely learned that loving a child is a love unlike any other.
This is so great that becoming a parent has changed your life in so many positive ways! It’s always great to hear wonderful feedback from parents.
Beth |
I so agree with all of these! I do find I’m happier now that I’m a parent–but I admit, I am also more exhausted. But it’s worth it.
I feel all the emotions u just listed. I CRY ALL THE TIME~