From Single to Motherhood

Your life and priorities definitely change after you have a baby because suddenly everything is about the baby. Every decision you make now involves another person. You start to look at things through the eyes of a mother instead of through the eyes of a single person. Something as simple as dealing with bad weather is seen in a different light once there's a baby to consider. You pay more attention to your health because you have to be well in order to take care of your child. Your social life definitely changes. Even if a sitter is readily available, when you go out for the evening you're always conscious of the fact that you have to get up in the morning to take care of your child...no more sleeping in just because you want to. And, if you have a child who happens to be an early riser like my first born was, you learn to appreciate early morning wake up calls because, as tired as you are, you're greeted by the most beautiful smiling face you've ever seen. You also find that things you were never really interested in before you had a child have new meaning when you do. Baby talk is great...the discovery of a new tooth...every little thing your child does is headline news that you can't wait to share with your family and friends. Eventually you get to rediscover the joys of Sesame Street and cartoons, too.

Prior to have children I was a professional in my work. I had a great career and loved what I did. I had to leave my job when I got pregnant as I was high risk. My priorities changed. My life at that time was about keeping my pregnancy, making it to as close to full term as I could. Then when they were born, yet again my life was all about my kids. It was hard at first. I did give up a great deal, but please do not compare a singleton birth to my experience.