Don't take the rest of this post the wrong way, I love my daughter. I can't even imagine my life without her.
She's my heart, my happiness and there's nothing I would change, even if I could. She's made me a better man, just by being born.
But being a parent is hard damn work. And sometimes I think back to when everything was a little easier, a little lazier. So here is my list of things I miss about the era before the mini human.
1. Peace and Quiet
Remember when you could hear yourself think? Yeah, those were the times.
Anlee hasn't piped down since the first day she heard herself squeak. And why would she? She's got an angelic voice. But when angels start teething, you'll want earplugs. I now cherish the times in my car on the way to work because....shh.
2. Doing What I Want, When I Want
While this kind of went away when I got married, the handcuffs really tightened with the destroyer of diapers. No more partying, no more late night runs to Taco Bell, no more spur of the moment trips to a Cardinals game. Once upon a time, I had a whimsy...now I'm a wimp, bullied by a baby.
3. Sleep
I really don't have to explain this one do I?
4. Hanging Out with Friends
I wasn't Charlie Murphy or Van Halen, but there were a few people in my entourage before I fathered a child. Today, I've pretty much stopped meeting fully-grown people face to face. Seeing my friends now requires some kind of life event: weddings, births, fantasy football drafts, etc.
5. Using My Brain
Something crazy happens when you become a parent, YOU LOSE YOUR EFFING MIND. (Get it, something crazy? Punny funny) Like you can't even finish a thought without another one running into it. (Just like that previous sentence...I think.) With so much to do, so much to worry about, you're always forgetting something. I still haven't found my left shoe I left on top of the car three months ago, but the hot dog had great arch support.
6. No Cargo
Packing for a weekend road trip before the baby:
- Clothes (one extra T-shirt)...check
- Wallet...check
- Deodorant...questionable
That's it. That's all a dude needs.
Now that we've got an extra life form that needs help eating, playing, sleeping, burping, more freight is required for any venture out of the house. As I covered in my last post "Uh, What Did I Just Say?...#1", we pack enough shit to survive the zombie apocalypse.
What do you miss most about the time before you had children? Has it changed over the years? Leave a comment below!
I dig this. I don't have kids but other posts I've read in a similar vein add to the parents vs child free feud. You handled it with humor and grace
ReplyDeleteThanks! Thinking back to a time before kids is funny...and so is having kids.
DeleteDitto! Well said.
ReplyDeleteAh it's all over too soon though!! I just came across a post (thanks timehop) saying I wish it were quiet in my house... ever. Now both girls are in school and the house is still all day long unless Ian is home or the dog comes out of her kennel (which isn't often). Pretty soon your kids will be packing their own bags, doing their own laundry, begging to go on those late night runs with you and self entertaining so you can reconnect with the friends you've had to neglect the last couple of years. I think the only thing on that list I don't miss is the diaper bag!! I am glad though that I get to meet her when she's relatively small so she'll still think I'm cool! ;)
ReplyDeleteA great reminder that time flies! And you'll always be cool Ness...
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