How much does your life change after baby?

Question

My husband and I are planning to try for a baby sometime next year. I am 25 and he is 28 and we have been married for almost 4 years. Neither of us have family near by, so it would be just us and child care taking care of the baby. What major things change when you have a baby? What do you miss, or not have the time to do anymore? Does it really feel like a 24/7 job or is it too wonderful to feel like work? Just curious if we should wait longer or go ahead and try.

Answer 1

Well, it's not black and white.  LOL  When we had our daughter, I stayed home and he worked full time.  At first it wasn't hard or life changing.  She slept and I only had to feed, change, burp her and make her comfy.  Slowly over the months new things are added in as their development grows.  As you do these things more and more they don't really seem that big (like comparing first diaper changes, feedings and such to now at 19 months!!!).  At 19 months, OMG she is running everywhere, playing and getting into things, talking, laughing, learning more, etc.   If I went from having no child to having a 19 month old......I'd need some pretty heavy sleeping pills LOL.  But that's the great thing about time and watching them grow, you grow with them and everyday something little and new is added into the mix.  By the time my daughter is 20, my life compared to before her will be ....WAY different I guess.  Lots of things change considering your daily routine at first, then you learn to change with them.  Financially, I didn't notice a big difference, even now.  I buy most of my stuff second hand in great condition.  Of course that will likely change when she's around 5 and starts getting into clothes and shoes and such, but with groceries, clothes, toys and every other thing now, I don't see a big difference.  

Things I miss from before I had her?  Time.  ALONE.  I get about 1 hour a day, sometimes less now that she's older.  When they're little they don't go too far or do too much, but no I have to be more active with her.  Before I could sit on the computer for a few hours a day, or read for 3 hours.  Now I have to do it when she's napping or sleeping at night time.

24/7 hours a day? YOU BET!  I wouldn't change it for the world either.  I love taking care of her and cooking and playing.  It's really worth it when they start to hug you and kiss you and say things like, 'Mommy'.  She can say her name and recognize herself in pictures.  Her name is Phoenix and it comes out "Enix".  It doesn't feel like a job much, just something I enjoy doing.

One little peice of advice though, you'll never be ready!  Be it financial, emotional, physical, etc, you'll never be completely ready.  If you feel like you can cope with a child and give them your all, then you are more than likely prepared as much as you'll ever be! :D Good luck trying!

Answer 2

Your life changes completely and irrevocably when you have children.  (And if it doesn't, you're doing something wrong...)

Answer 3

It is 24/7.  YOu lose your freedom to be spontaneous, you lose your privacy, you can NEVER again sleep in.....but when you hold your child, when your child hugs you, when your child kisses you or runs to you for help.  These are the things that make it worth it.  

If you truly want a child I think you should take a year and plan to travel and do things that won't be possible when the baby is born.  Then go for it!!  

The good FAR outweigh the bad!!

Answer 4

Well, everything changes - but all for the better.  We are lucky that my wife could be a stay-at-home mom, since we don't have any family nearby either to help take care of the kids.  It really is a 24/7 job - but as they get older, they become a little more self sufficient.  My oldest is 11 now and youngest is 9 - they grow up so fast.  I wish they could stay little forever.  It has all been a blessing.  I'd say go for it now so you Will be young enough to have more !!