“Am I ready to be a parent?” You can’t know if you’re ready or not, until you are a parent. Sure, maybe you have friends or family with children, and it looks so much fun. The park outside your window is filled with laughter and smiles. Watching from the window, it looks fun; spending a few hours with them, magical: but what being a parent looks like is not what it is like. To get a better idea, below are some changes that come with parenting that are not always brought up.

Do you like your sleep? That’s gone, say goodbye and don’t look back, at least in the first few months. Don’t believe me? Wake up every 2 hours and walk around the house for half an hour. Try to imagine doing this with a crying baby in your arms.
Do you like to lie in bed after you wake up? If you manage to wake up before your little one, you might be able to do that. If not, imagine an army wake up call: straight out of bed and ready for action.
Do you like to enjoy your coffee? Enjoy and appreciate if you manage to take a sip every now and then...of cold coffee that is.
Do you like to watch TV without anyone bothering you? Maybe at night time...if you manage to stay asleep after the opening credits.
Are you not an organized person? The little one will organize you that you won’t need an agenda or calendar.
Are you obsessed with cleanliness? Not anymore...unless you can afford to hire 2 live-in housekeepers.
Are you the type of person who enjoys to eat out in town and only have a kitchen at home because it comes with the home? You will discover its many wonders.
You don’t like washing dishes because it ruins your nails? There is semi-permanent manicure and dish washing gel with hand cream effect. Not even the Queen of England has hands as soft as yours.
Do you enjoy long visits at the mall? You will be Speedy-Gonzales and not with bags of clothes for yourself. They will be replaced by small clothes, toys, and diapers.
Is your car very valuable to you? Be more realistic...it will be filled with biscuits, crumbs, and hopefully your little one won’t get sick in it.
Are you spontaneous and like to go on unplanned holidays? Gone are the days when you could go with only the clothes you were wearing. You might even need to buy a trailer now.
Do you like to stay out with the boys, having a pint or heading out three times a week to play football? Change of plans, you have a match at home.
Do you get annoyed by loud sounds? Get used to it...just get used to it.
Do you not like strong smells? Nothing you can do about it...at least once a day you’ll have to deal with them, and believe me, they are strong.
You don’t like working out? You will...to carry an agitated baby in one hand, the toys in the other, a bag on your back...it’s like a workout with a very strict coach. Patience.
Speaking of patience: not a fan of it? You will be.
Do you hate the question, “Why?” Hehehe, learn to love it because it will be like a soundtrack to your life.
When you walk out the door, you know exactly where to go and what to do? You don’t like to waste time admiring the trees? Ohhh you will find out in the smallest detail how beautiful they truly are. Wait til you see how fascinating the little rocks are...all of them!

How does it sound? If it doesn’t sound scary, that’s good. If it scares you, don’t let it...it is really awesome being a parent! Some of the above may only last a few days, weeks, months, years; but I’m sure down the line there are more and more things that will change!