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10 Things I Miss About Life Before Kids

by Ivy B

Gone are the days I’m my own self.  I now have to schedule time for myself or I won’t get it.  What I miss about my life before children and things I think about while parenting 2 kids.

That’s terrible sounding and I’m compelled to explain that I have no regrets that I’ve had my children.  My children are beautiful, smart, and funny.  I can’t imagine my life without them.  My daughter is a really smart daddy’s girl.  As much as she gives us trouble, I know it’s just in her nature to be strong-willed.  My son is another force to be reckoned with.  I swear they’re going to have amazing tenacity and be very successful individuals in whatever they choose to pursue in life.

Sometimes, though, I think about life before them, and there are things I miss.

What I miss about my life before children. What do you miss about your own life before kids?
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What I Miss About My Life Before Children:

While not necessarily in order, this is a list of what I miss about my life before children.

#1 Hot Coffee

I could finish a cup of coffee before it got cold. (This probably does fit in first place on this list)

#2 The Snooze Button

When I woke up in the morning, I didn’t have to rush to someone’s aid… there’s no snooze button on a screaming kid “Help!  Mommy! Mommy!”

#3 A Small Purse

I miss not lugging around a diaper bag that weighs more than one of the kids, killing my shoulders in the process.

#4 Not Having to Plan Around Someone

I didn’t have to plan around nap times. (Although occasionally taking one myself is nice.)

#5 My Own Food

Not having to share my food. I love food and I don’t necessary like sharing it.

#6 Snack without Sneaking

Not having to sneak snacks.  If I felt like indulging, I didn’t have to worry about whether or not someone else was supposed to have it.

#7 Small Sports Car

Driving a small manual-shift car everywhere.  Now, I’m limited one day a month driving in my Autocross hobby.

#8 My Health and Smarts

I felt healthier (and smarter) – my issues seem never ending since having a baby.  Thanks Hashimoto’s.

#9 Pleasant Dinner & Conversation

Dinner conversations weren’t full of convincing someone to eat dinner so they could have dessert. And eating M&Ms for dinner was acceptable.

#10 Spending on Myself without the Guilt

If I wanted something for me, I just got it.  Now I think “… but I should probably spend money onfor them”.  Then there’s the guilt when I take some time for myself.

I don’t regret having my children.  I couldn’t imagine my life without them anymore.  But, there are moments that I do miss the ease of coming and going as I please.  The freedom from not being needed nearly constantly.

I’m hit with the reality that I took all those kid-free years for granted.  I didn’t simply enjoy them.

When they get too big for needing mommy, and I get those freedoms back, I’m going to miss my babies.  I imagine I’ll have to write a top 10 list of things I miss about having little ones in the house.  For now, though, I’m in the thick of it wondering when I’ll enjoy a nice dinner out with hubby without worrying about the kids at home with the babysitter.

What do you miss about life before kids?

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21 comments

Jenny December 29, 2016 - 3:30 am

It’s funny, I’m not sure I can even remember what life was like before kids! This is a great list. One thing that would make it on my list would be going to the bathroom by myself! LOL!! I’m not sure what it is about mommy going to the bathroom, but it’s almost like there is a hidden magnet that brings all of my kids to my bathroom anytime I need to go. Thank you for sharing.

Ivy B December 29, 2016 - 4:53 pm

How did I NOT think about the bathroom?!?! You’re so right …

Niki @ Toot's Mom is Tired December 30, 2016 - 12:03 pm

I miss being able to leave the house in less than 5 minutes!

Ivy B December 31, 2016 - 10:32 am

Yes!

Eleacia Los April 5, 2017 - 2:36 pm

I miss not needing to worry about finding a sitter, so I can make time for caring for my sanity lol.

Ivy B April 5, 2017 - 3:00 pm

No kidding! Of course, you probably had more sanity before kids too 🙂

Charlotte June 22, 2017 - 11:47 am

Hey Ivy,

Thanks for making it ok to miss life before kids. As someone in her early 30s and a mom to a 1 year old— I def. miss my me-time (i.e. exercising, getting a massage, getting mani-pedi.). I have a while til lo grows up and I get my freedom back but like you, I imagined I would miss having lo be this little too.
***new blogger here, show me some love on my blog: mommycharlotte.org

Best regards,

Charlotte V

Ivy B June 22, 2017 - 12:00 pm

We shouldn’t put so much stock in what others think is and isn’t okay. But, I know it helps if we don’t believe we’re the only ones with these kinds of feelings 🙂 Totally cool to miss some aspects of your previous life!!

Best Lighted Mirror October 21, 2017 - 12:52 pm

Nice article! Thanks for sharing.

Janine Huldie March 14, 2018 - 7:17 am

Yes to so many of these. And like you I don’t ever regret having my kids, but yes I do have moments where I miss certain aspects. I actually just said the other day similar to #10 to my mom as any time I do sped a few extra dollars on me now, I immediately seem to feel a certain level of guilt. So yes I do get this and more myself here.

Ivy B March 15, 2018 - 8:24 pm

Do it more often and you’ll feel less guilty … ask me how I know 😉

Laura Dennis March 14, 2018 - 1:31 pm

One day they will hop in their cars with their newly minted driver’s licenses and drive off and you will look at your husband on a Friday night and say, “What do you want to do?” It’s the weirdest thing ever.

Ivy B March 15, 2018 - 8:21 pm

Maybe, but at the same time, I’m looking forward to a little down time. And, we still have our hobbies, so we’ll just have more time for them when the kids leave 😉

Sarah March 14, 2018 - 4:18 pm

Whoa, this rings so true for me, too! I’d add that I miss doing anything alone (including going to the bathroom)! That said, I know this time is fleeting so I’m *trying* to find a balance. Great post, Ivy.

Ivy B March 15, 2018 - 8:20 pm

I try to take one day a month to just go out and do whatever I feel like ALL DAY LONG. It’s so refreshing and makes me not feel as resentful of the chaos as often LOL. I’m glad you enjoyed the read 😀

Bri Adams March 14, 2018 - 11:38 pm

OMG ALL of those things!! I can totally relate. My husband and I jokingly refer to re-kid days as “when we were single”. I too love my kids to pieces but the days are long and often hard. I just think about how much I’d be missing out on if I’d never had them and it makes all that stuff ok to miss for a while.

Ivy B March 15, 2018 - 8:17 pm

OY! Today was one of those days I REALLY missed life before them LOL. I know we’ll have some amazing experiences and I’m bound to learn A LOT … certainly I’ll be blessed to have skills I would have never known without kids, but sometimes it doesn’t feel like a blessing does it? 😉

Leo Tat March 20, 2018 - 6:43 pm

Like you I don’t regret having children but I do miss some elements of life before kids. I missed it most when my kids were younger. I really missed going out alone with my wife like just going to the cinema, we couldn’t go as someone had to look after the kids. I also missed being able to sleep in too. Since they are now older, we can let my in-laws look after them at times so we can do what couples do. However, at this moment, I miss having quiet meal times, as our kids treats meals times like entertainment time.

Ivy B March 20, 2018 - 7:12 pm

It’s really hard isn’t it? My husband and I have to make intentional effort to get kid-free time. This year, I’ve also prioritized mommy days out to reboot. You find whatever way you can to cope 😉

Mark Anderson March 21, 2018 - 1:39 am

It’s really TRUE!! LOL

Buheri March 22, 2018 - 4:38 am

I just laughed on reading about the snooze button because I can clearly resonate.The screaming does not wait indeed.You just made my day

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