What have you learned since becoming a parent?

[RayneStorm]

So what have you discovered or learned since becoming a parent?

I've learned:

1) That all my animals before Luke arrived were my babies and STILL are! There's enough love to go around. The ppl that I talked to when I was preggers who said that the animals would cease to be my babies were Wrong!! As I knew they would be!

2) I'm still not a morning person and not sure if I ever will be.

3) I like babies and kids (well, I think I like kids lol)

Just a few for starters.

What about you?

Rayne

[Athena-Nadine]

I have learned that just when I think I have reached the end of my patience and tolerance, there is always more inside me.

I have learned to love unconditionally and without reservation.

I have learned that I am both a better and worse person than I believed I was.

I have learned that it was a lie that I would love my fur babies any less!

I have learned that a child's laughter truly can heal a broken heart.

I have learned that not all women feel that immediate "Mother Bond" upon the birth of their children, and that it's OK not to.

I have learned that a silent house can make me sad.

[aluokaloo]

I've learned that

parenting is alot like corrupt politics, I have to make bargains, threaten, and bribe emdlessly

that no matter what things may come, my daughter's spirit is unbreakable which is an awesome thing

I've learned that she continues to amaze me

I've learned that I take basic skills for granted when I've had to teach her how to eat with utensils, brush her teeth, walk, put on clothes etc.

I've learned when she's quiet and not actually asleep to go see what she is doing

I've learned a little kid can give the best hugs and kisses ever!

[Tanya]

what a great thread!

1. "You can always turn off the stove" was one of my first parent epiphanies... in that.. we live all the time rushed and pressed by artificail goals and deadlines.. but it is in our power to turn off diiner and walk away and nurse your baby for 10 minutes without the world ending.

2. Children get cranky when they are hungry or tired... and shock of shocks... SO DO I....and the corillary..."I need to look after my physical needs to be the parent I want to be"

3. I capable of more patience than I thought I was.

4. I am perfectly capable of murdering someone, hiding the body and smiling so sweet butter wouldn't melt in my mouth, if anyone ever touched my girl.

5. I had forgotten how to play

[RayneStorm]

Thank you Tanya!

I've also learned that showering is a luxury and if it's longer than 5mins then it's pampering

I also have new respect for my mother!

[Amethyst Rose]

I've learned good things and bad things....

The bad:

I'm obsessive compulsive and go a little nutso when kids throw off my routine
I'm no where near as patient as I thought I was
I can only take so much before I snap

The good, and what the bad have taught me in turn:


How remain calm
How to say I'm sorry and mean it
How to disconnect and relax until I can better handle things
That a happy baby/kids need a happy mom

General parenting lessons:

It's amazing to watch the adoration in my baby's eyes as he watches his big brother
How wonderfully gentle and loving a 4 year old can be to a baby
Children learn from everything we do and say - the good and the bad
There is no greater reward than your child saying "I love you"
Pride is watching your children grow into amazing people

[RainInanna]

Mental well-being (his and mine) is always worth more then control, schedules, routines, and rules.
The only constant is change.
To ask for help when I need it, take a break when I can, get daddy to take over or grandma to babysit, and not feel bad about it because a happier mommy means a happier baby.

[Amethyst Rose]

Mental well-being (his and mine) is always worth more then control, schedules, routines, and rules.
The only constant is change.
To ask for help when I need it, take a break when I can, get daddy to take over or grandma to babysit, and not feel bad about it because a happier mommy means a happier baby.

QFT

[Faol-chù]

That my mother *did* the best she could, and she was not insane...

But if she WAS insane, I'm the one who made her that way...:bad:

[Chesna]

Ohh I like I like!!

I leared:

* My little girl was a DIVA from the moment she was born I will not let me forget about it!!
* That due to the above, teen years have started at 5
* That a 12 month old and a 5 yr old can wrestle and giggle at the same time
* That a clean house is not the norm- it just means lack of kids
* That being a good mom means that they are clean, clothed, fed and loved...not neccessarily in that order
* That it is ok to want to sell you kids to the highest bidder when you want one minute of peace
* But due to the above..your little ones give you a kiss and say, You're the best mommy!!

*sigh*

Chesna

[WytherWyskers]

I've learned to love myself more since I had my baby. I think it's important to make myself happy so that my baby is happy too.

I've also learned that I actually like babies and children now. I used to think I would never have children because they weren't for me. Man, was I wrong! I couldn't imagine my life without my little boy.

I've also learned to sort out my priorities. Money is not as important to me as watching the miracle milestones that my little man is going through. There's always time in the future to catch up with financial situations as long as I'm barely comfortable with finances now, I'm fine.

I've learned how much patience I really have.

I've also learned how lucky I am to have a fiance who is a great dad.

[RayneStorm]

I've also learned that there is nothing like the sound of a babies laughter! Boy, talk about infectious!!!

[moonchild]

i've learned

that no matter how rough the night went, going in to get my girl in the am with that killer smile makes it all disolve away.
That i can love someone so passionately that it would hurt
that i would do anything for her
that snuggling on the couch watching noggin won't kill me like i thought it might.
i'm still not a morning person....and she is.
that she has soooo much joy that is just contagious
that it is ok to walk away from a screaming child to get your breath, that extra second makes a huge difference.
that i no longer can sleep through everything. She can make no more than a peep and i'm up.

[Lyrien]

I have learned:

-That I can be fiercely protective when threatened.
-That I am MUCH stronger than I had once thought.
-That crayons will melt if left in the car.
-That McDonald's cheeseburgers will not decay when left under the driver seat for an extended period of time.
-That sacrifice can feel good.
-That I am much less patient that I thought.
-That moms do not know everything.
-That looking back, some personality traits are there when they are born.
-That you can suck a gallon of paint out of the carpet with a green machine.
-That love is much more complex, yet simpler than I thought.