The GBUS Part 4

The Surprising

The final part of this series is the stuff that I never imagined would come with having kids. In retrospect it's pretty predictable but it certainly took me by surprise...

1. Germs. Despite knowing I am a germophobe I never realised just how crazy I would get over cleanliness and my child. Yeah yeah everyone likes to spout on about increasing immunity etc but really - who wants their child to get sick - ESPECIALLY when nasty things like Swine Flu are flying around? I think people get a bit funny when I ask them to wash their hands or use the Purelle before touching him but am I really asking too much? And do people not understand that given that his hands practically live in his mouth at the moment that by touching his hand you are effectively putting your hands in his mouth??? We wash our hands before preparing food but people think it's A-ok to effectively give him a germ sandwich without washing their hands? Ok I sound like a crazy person.. moving on..

2. How bad the lack of sleep is and how you really are tempted to trade your baby for 15 minutes of sleep. You start wondering if he really needs to be fed tonight... Yes he does...

3. How it does take a while to completely accept your child as a member of the family. Of course you love them immediately, but there is a window of time where it kind of feels like a probation period, and you're not sure if a screaming, spewing child is a "cultural fit" to the lovely little life you've built with hubby. This obviously does pass.

4. The amount of humour that is associated with a child. I think mine is particularly funny but then again maybe everyone thinks that. He is just truly hilarious and has the most amused look on his face for 90% of the time. The other 10% he is fed up or tired and tells us by blowing excellent raspberries that we try not to laugh at.

5. How eventually you do get over the loss of your career... I was one of the more career driven women around, with my "hard core corporate role" (hehe), and I'm now saying "what career?" I mean really, who gives a hoot about numbers and profit margins and how feasible a project is when I can recite the Very Hungry Caterpillar by heart and when I get a huge smile just by singing to Magoo? How can you top that for career satisfaction??

6. That men, particularly of the older, crustier variety, pay far more attention to you when you are pushing a pram. I can't imagine what is going through their minds and I don't particularly want to. Ew...

7. That breastfeeding is hard. At first anyway. People had warned me but I still though "ah no she'll be right mate". 12 weeks, three lactation consultants, lots of lanolin and tears later, it finally fell into place. Now it's the easiest and best thing ever. I really feel for people that won't or can't breastfeed.

8. How when it does all fall into place the love you have for your child is so strong that you just know your heart would break in two if you were without them. Awwwwww...