Back when I thought I knew it all

I've had a few fun conversations lately about things I said I would NEVER do before I had a baby.

You know....because I knew exactly what kind of Mom I would be.

It wasn't that I thought I was a genius, or that other people didn't know how to raise their children, it was just that there were certain things I would do or wouldn't do. Period. Black and white. No problemo, no questions asked.


Hah.


Since I've enjoyed these conversations so much, I thought I'd share with you all and hopefully you would get a kick out of it also.


Before I had a baby..

-I said I would NEVER ride in the the backseat. I didn't see why Mom's couldn't separate themselves from their baby long enough for a car ride home. I mean really, its just a car ride.

Now....
I'm in the backseat baby. I learned (quickly) it has absolutely NOTHING to do with separating, and EVERYTHING to do with sanity. What baby wants to be bored in the backseat alone? And more importantly, what parent wants to listen to their baby scream from boredom when it is so easily fixed by playing with your baby and keeping them entertained.... from the backseat.

Before I had a baby..

-I said I would NEVER put a baby in the bed with us. Its just training them to never stop, baby's can sleep in their cribs, and on and on.

Now...
I think it was actually just yesterday morning I said to Joel, "Just bring her in here", and it definitely wasn't the first time. I learned that sometimes, you just have to do what you have to do, and you just have to sleep. period. For us its not a common thing, we've probably done that less than a handful of times, mainly because I have such a fear that one of us will roll on her or elbow her or something like that, that its more stressful than its worth. **sometimes**

Before I had a baby:

-I thought it was ridiculous to have so many huge toys (saucey, jumperoo, swing, playmat, all those containment toys). I couldn't understand why I needed to register for them when was she really going to care at all?? Can't I just give her some tupperware and use the money for diapers?

Now...
The more containment toys the better! They are almost taking up every square foot we have downstairs and I would add more if we had the room and money. I didn't understand how incredibly valuable it would be to put her in the saucey for a few minutes, know she is safe, and maybe I would be able to get something done around the house. I think its funny that I thought I could put down some tupperware and she would indefinitely play while I cleaned. RIGHT...:-)

Before I had a baby..

-I said I would never be one of those Mom's who took up the entire aisle with the stroller. Your baby is 8 pounds, can't you just hold it instead of pushing a stroller big enough to hold me through this store?

Now...I ALWAYS have the stroller. I had NO CLUE how hard it would be to shop with a baby who wants to grab EVERYTHING. I run the stroller into aisles, people, you name it, on accident of course. I am now that person.

Before I had a baby..

-I decided I would be a laid back, easy going, non-stressing Mom. I thought I'd be this way about naps, schedules, sickness, you name it. Because when your baby spikes a fever, you can decide to be relaxed.

Wrong.

For the most part, I think we are both pretty laid back. However, last week when I looked at Ruthie's hand and saw two unknown bites and her tiny little hand puffed up like the marshmallow man's at least 2 sizes bigger than normal...yeah I freaked out. I called the doctor, Joel and my Mom about 20 times each while I was on my way to the doctor (after making a pit stop at the pharmacist to see if they thought she needed benadryl immediately). Thankfully, she was fine but I've learned that sometimes, getting freaked out sometimes is pretty much part of being a Mom.

I also learned that for us, not being laid back about schedules, naps, etc. makes our lives less stressful, more easy going and more laid back. Everyone is happier when the baby gets good naps when she is supposed to nap. Lately, I've been more flexible about that one, but 95% of the time, it just isn't worth it.

Before I had a baby..

-I couldn't understand all the screaming baby's on planes. Can't you just give your child a toy, food, or something to calm them down.

Oh man, was I an idiot. I think after you have a baby, you have a completely different level of compassion for a lot of things. Now when I hear a baby cry on a plane, first, I feel terrible for the baby. Maybe its ears are hurting, teeth are hurting, or just having a hard time going to sleep. Second, I feel absolutely horrible for the parents. No parent wants to have the screaming baby and I'm pretty sure they would do ANYTHING in their power to get it to stop. I feel the same way about crying baby's in restaurants or pretty much anywhere now.

Before I had a baby..

-I didn't understand why people needed to share their birth stories? We know you went into labor and ended up with a baby. All the details in the middle I don't need to know.

Now...I love baby stories. I like to talk with people about their hospital/birth experience, find out what was good/bad. All that stuff.

One of my favorites from my friends:

-I said I would never want or have a minivan. Now I go test drive them for fun, and drool over the automatic side door in the process.


Now when I hear pregnant women or people who don't have children say things they will never do, or things they think will happen, I just smile and think to myself that I want to talk to them in another year and hear if things have changed. Things have definitely changed for me. I think "Never" is the magic word that in time translates to absolutely 95% will happen. :-)

I'd love to hear your 'when I knew it all' pre-children stories, or things you think you'll never do as a parent. Let me know if you put them on your blog or leave me a comment. When you start talking to people about these things, it is hilarious what everyone thought/and now thinks!!