Parents - what do you miss most about being childless?

Metranil_Vavin

For me it's being able to be spontaneous and just up and go somewhere if I want to.

I used to complain about having a cat being a tie! Little did I know...

itsanne

SLEEP - everything else paled into insignificance. Eldest, now 28, was not a sleeper. She was 20 minutes asleep then 2-3 hours awake, day and night, for months. The first time she slept all night I woke her checking she was still breathing . . .

(She's still a bad sleeper.)

System

I miss:


drinking lots of beer


watching tv


random weekends away


smoking


things of the intimate nature with my wife


But most of all I miss - grab jacket/coat, grab car keys, grab wallet, open door and walk onto driveway, sit in car and drive off. That all takes less than 30 seconds. With kids it takes hours!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

daisiegg

Good god you lot are making me want to cancel the whole baby plan, crack open the vodka and buy a lifetime supply of condoms! :eek:

supersaver2

From a man/dad perspective I miss having spare money (gets eaten up on child care fees!) I also really miss being able to sleep in past 7.00am on weekends!

It is difficult raising children, but it helps to be organised and don't forget your partner/husband/wife and their needs. Me and my wife both work, have a 2 year with disabilities after a very early birth so lots of appointments etc. My wife is still breast feeding and she works 4 days a week but we both manage time for each other, cuddles (and more if I'm lucky) on the couch at night and we text each other throughout the day. Your priorities do change and life can be hard and tiring after being up all night with a poorly baby but it really is worth it!

Afer all that, my main tip - enjoy your sleep and spare cash now! :rotfl:

pukkamum

Eating what I want when I want, not having to hide my chocolate then only being able to eat it after 9.
Only putting the washer on once a week, now it's on at least once a day.
Not being thrilled at going to the supermarket alone.
Clutter free tidy house.
Afternoon sex.
My youth.
All dayers at the pub.
Peaceful car journeys.
I could go on and on and..................
But I wouldn't change a thing because when the day is done and I am snuggled on the couch with 3 beautiful children it's all worth it.

troubleinparadise

Peace of mind - there's always something to worry about, even when they're adults and are "independent"...

Being selfish - putting yourself first instead of bottom of the to-do-list...

BUT before you realise it, they have left home, and you have to work at remembering what life was like and what you used to do when it was just the two of you!

This_Year

You'll lose control of your emotions. I never ever, ever used to cry.
Now I blub at a drop of a hat. Even that bloody John Lewis advert, only have to hear the song on the radio and I'm welling up.

And as for children trick or treating, or in school plays? Massive lump in my throat and I'm off.

It's why they invented waterproof mascara.

shelley_crow

Peace and quiet, those moments when you'd like to sit in silence and think about nothing in particular.

As someone else said, being able to get up and go out until you're ready to go home.

It's more than worth it and things do get easier as the children get older, I have an 8 year old and a 3 year old. Both of mine were easy babies, my youngest is somewhat challenging as a toddler!

Toto

onlyroz wrote: »

I do quite miss my breasts. They weren't much but they at least pointed vaguely in the right direction. Now they're virtually non-existent.

I also miss my Saturday mornings - I think these have been given up to swimming lessons for the next several years. Oh and my early evenings, which are spent learning spellings, times tables, reading all about Biff, Chip and Kipper, and (most recently) drawing Venn diagrams and doing long division.

If you don't know who Biff, Chip and Kipper are then think yourself extremely fortunate.

This! And who decided that the dog looked like a floppy, what a stupid name for a dog who doesn't look at all floppy to me.