A lot of things change when you become a parent. Right after our 2nd ultrasound when we found out we weren't having twins, but TRIPLETS, I vividly remember saying to my husband as we stepped on the elevator, "Our lives are never going to be the same."
I've never said a more true statement. I didn't know what life with triplets had in store but I knew we would not be able to live the same life we had been living. Not only did the things around me change (i.e. 3 babies and a house that looked like a daycare) but I have also noticed that I have transformed as well. Here are just some of the ways that I have changed since becoming a Mommy 3.5 years ago.
1. I am more efficient. I conquer tasks with a different attitude. I get things done as quickly as possible but at the same time preparing for the next step. I feel like I always have to be one step ahead. This goes for house cleaning, dressing the kids, and getting my own "stuff" done. I seriously don't have any time to waste.
2. No mommy judging. I know my pre-bab(ies) self and I couldn't help but judge how parents were raising their kids. I would tell myself, "My kids would never act that way... Or I would never let my kids eat that... yadda yadda yadda." Let me tell you, I have changed 100% on my opinions about how other parents raise their kids. Honestly, you don't know how hard it is raising a tiny human until you are. And now that I'm the Mommy that may give in when I know I shouldn't OR feed my kids a treat right before dinner (because I promised them hours ago, but I forgot until they soloudly nicely reminded me)... I realize that every parents loves their children and they are doing what is RIGHT for that situation. You may see a Mom letting her kid do something you wouldn't but you don't know what went on behind the scenes or why they are even in that particular scenario. Sometimes, its a last effort. Sometimes, the Mom or Dad needs a break. Or, sometimes it may be for the child's own good... it just doesn't look that way to you. I've now learned to put all judgement aside and just support one another. Parenthood is hard. Period.
3. I have less patience for adults. See #1. This doesn't mean that I'm rude to other adults, I just figure out tactics to make conversations go a little quicker. I'm not talking about my family or friends, but more along the lines of the AT&T guy, or the lady selling me insurance on the phone, or the 5 complete strangers that stop me to tell me "Your hands are full" at Target. I'm nice but to the point so I can maximize my time.
4. I am a Multitasking queen. I've found that I never had a large enough chunk of time to be really productive with a project, so I have many tasks going all at once and I tick away at each one as efficiently as possible. I can also know what my kids are doing (most likely climbing on me) while I clean, fold laundry, or work on one of those projects.
5. Sleep is no longer a priority to me. I've learned I function pretty well when sleep deprived. My pre-bab(ies) self used to NEED at least 8 hours of sleep a night (most nights 9-10), but now I'm pretty happy with my 6.5-7 hours (with getting up at least once in the middle of the night). I've learned to let it go (cue Elsa) and stress less about sleeping. If I did stress about it, then I'd be more miserable. I've come to terms with the fact that my children are just bad sleepers.... which leads to poor sleep for me. I accept it for what it is.
6. I truly appreciate silence. My house is never silent. It is filled with a pleasurable amount of giggles, a dash of questions, an unimaginable amount of crying, and a WHOLE lot of high pitched screaming... with some dog barking thrown in the mix. Silence is almost never heard, but when it is, I notice... and its AMAZING.
7. I don't mind being soaked in the bodily fluids of my own kin. The day isn't complete unless I've been sneezed on. Spit up, pee, poop, snot, spit... whatever. Doesn't bother me anymore. It is like an immunity I've built up.
10. I didn't realize how much I could love 3 tiny humans. I mean, seriously, I would give my life for them and it makes me tear up just thinking about them getting hurt in any way. They are (most of the time) sticky, unreasonable, independent, and sometimes just down-right mean to me... but I love them so hard. And I know they love me back.
I've never said a more true statement. I didn't know what life with triplets had in store but I knew we would not be able to live the same life we had been living. Not only did the things around me change (i.e. 3 babies and a house that looked like a daycare) but I have also noticed that I have transformed as well. Here are just some of the ways that I have changed since becoming a Mommy 3.5 years ago.
1. I am more efficient. I conquer tasks with a different attitude. I get things done as quickly as possible but at the same time preparing for the next step. I feel like I always have to be one step ahead. This goes for house cleaning, dressing the kids, and getting my own "stuff" done. I seriously don't have any time to waste.
2. No mommy judging. I know my pre-bab(ies) self and I couldn't help but judge how parents were raising their kids. I would tell myself, "My kids would never act that way... Or I would never let my kids eat that... yadda yadda yadda." Let me tell you, I have changed 100% on my opinions about how other parents raise their kids. Honestly, you don't know how hard it is raising a tiny human until you are. And now that I'm the Mommy that may give in when I know I shouldn't OR feed my kids a treat right before dinner (because I promised them hours ago, but I forgot until they so
3. I have less patience for adults. See #1. This doesn't mean that I'm rude to other adults, I just figure out tactics to make conversations go a little quicker. I'm not talking about my family or friends, but more along the lines of the AT&T guy, or the lady selling me insurance on the phone, or the 5 complete strangers that stop me to tell me "Your hands are full" at Target. I'm nice but to the point so I can maximize my time.
4. I am a Multitasking queen. I've found that I never had a large enough chunk of time to be really productive with a project, so I have many tasks going all at once and I tick away at each one as efficiently as possible. I can also know what my kids are doing (most likely climbing on me) while I clean, fold laundry, or work on one of those projects.
5. Sleep is no longer a priority to me. I've learned I function pretty well when sleep deprived. My pre-bab(ies) self used to NEED at least 8 hours of sleep a night (most nights 9-10), but now I'm pretty happy with my 6.5-7 hours (with getting up at least once in the middle of the night). I've learned to let it go (cue Elsa) and stress less about sleeping. If I did stress about it, then I'd be more miserable. I've come to terms with the fact that my children are just bad sleepers.... which leads to poor sleep for me. I accept it for what it is.
6. I truly appreciate silence. My house is never silent. It is filled with a pleasurable amount of giggles, a dash of questions, an unimaginable amount of crying, and a WHOLE lot of high pitched screaming... with some dog barking thrown in the mix. Silence is almost never heard, but when it is, I notice... and its AMAZING.
7. I don't mind being soaked in the bodily fluids of my own kin. The day isn't complete unless I've been sneezed on. Spit up, pee, poop, snot, spit... whatever. Doesn't bother me anymore. It is like an immunity I've built up.
8. Mom-guilt is a new feeling for me. I have to be fair and sometimes someone just wants a snuggle and I can't give it to her or I want to have dinner with my girlfriends and I leave 1 with an ear infection at home who just wants her mommy. Its hard. Its really really hard.
9. My priorities have changed. I think this happens for all parents. Everything else takes a step down when kiddos are around.
