5 benefits of parenting you weren’t expecting
The little parenting victories you didn’t see coming
Many mums could sit and list the unexpected pitfalls of parenthood, whether it’s the sleep deprivation, or explosive nappies and endless tantrums, there’s an endless list we could write.
As easy as the negatives are to find, what about all those benefits and high five moments we get as parents? Here’s our list of those just brilliant moments we never expected would give us so much joy as parents.
1. Someone to blame for always being late
If you are always late for everywhere you go, now you have a baby, you don’t need to worry about coming up with an excuse for why, just blame the baby…
2. Naps becoming part of your daily routine
Whereas before having a baby, daytime naps were, let’s face it, frowned upon. But now you have a baby, it is perfectly acceptable to nap any given moment you can (although you‘ve never needed a nap as much as you do now!)
3. Elasticated jeans
You may have mortified before having a baby to even consider elasticated jeans, now they are heaven sent as it would just be too depressing to try and fit into your old regular jeans.
4. An excuse to avoid anything you don’t want to go to
As nice as it is for your cousin’s best friend’s sister’s aunt to invite you to their event, you actually can’t think of anything worse, not to worry, just blame the baby, no one to babysit, baby’s not been sleeping, your older one has a show she can’t miss, all valid excuses now.
5. Going to bed at 9pm on a Saturday night
There was a time when it didn’t matter how tired you were, going to bed at 9pm on a Saturday was simply inexcusable so you would sit up with sticks holding your eyelids open, just to last out to a more acceptable time. In fact, there was a time, way back when, when 9pm was just the start of your Saturday night. But now you have a baby, it is perfectly acceptable to call it a night at 9pm and catch up on some of those well earned zzzzz.