It has dawned on me recently that along with the big changes that happen in your life after having kids – you know, like a permanent lack of sleep, being suddenly responsible for the life and survival of a new human being and err… watching more kids TV than your own programmes, there are other smaller changes that affect us as parents. Things that used to embarrass me, no longer bother me at all. And likewise, things that I never thought about much, now seem to take on a new meaning in the embarrassment stakes.
Things That No Longer Embarrass Me
1. Doctors – I used to cringe whenever I had to go to the doctor and reveal certain body parts. Now I couldn’t care less. They’ve seen it all before, I’ve had to pretty much show everything off before so let’s get on with the job shall we?
2. A Messy House – There was a time, many moons ago, when I used to take careful pride in the house. Well, I liked it to look nice. But now, in between juggling the children and fitting in copywriting work, it comes very low down list on my priorities. Yes, I like the house to look tidy, but in reality it’s pretty much in a permanent mess. I might apologise to anyone who visits, but I’m not embarrassed by it. Not anymore.
3. Dealing with a meltdown in public – Pre-kids I was HORRIFIED by children that used to scream and make a scene in public. I would tut and roll my eyes about the noise. Hah! Little did I know that I would be dealing with them on a frequent basis. From dealing with the toddler’s meltdown about sand on the beach to half carrying her and half dragging her from one side of town to try and get back to the safety of the car. Exhausting. Yes. Embarrassing not anymore. Everyone’s kids do it at some stage and the knowing glances and pats on the shoulder from other people to say “We’ve all been there” prove it.
4. Getting important things wrong. Like your child’s name. I recently spent 10 minutes in a shop calling out to my youngest daughter to stop running off. A few other shoppers looked at me wondering why I couldn’t control my child. I was wondering why I couldn’t control my child. Until it dawned on me that I’d been calling out my eldest daughter’s name instead of the toddler’s. I wasn’t embarrassed, tiredness has a lot to answer for.
5) Dealing with accidents – Toilet training puts pay to any form of embarrassment about dealing with wees and poos in public places. With kids, there’s always some form of bodily function that needs to be cleared up. Wet wipes and nappy sacks is the only thing to save you.
Things that Now Embarrass Me
1. The Recycling – Specifically the fortnightly collection of cans and bottles. I’m sure it’s not my imagination that the bin men are spending longer and longer trying to empty our recycling box and making such a din in the process. No, it’s true, we are apparently the biggest drinkers on the street.
2. Laughing hard – and realising your pelvic floor muscles really isn’t what it once was. Enough said.
3. Having other kids to tea – I swear to God that every time the neighbours’ kids or friends come to tea, we ALWAYS have pizza. My children seem to eat a few certain foods on rotation week in week out, but I now feel slightly paranoid and judged that everyone assumes that this is the only thing my kids eat. Admittedly, there’s not much else that isn’t picked over, but I must try harder to have a better menu on standby.
4. Clothes – Specifically, realising that I’m wearing clothes that I had 10 years ago. I’ve never particularly enjoyed shopping, but find that it’s now pretty much near impossible to buy new clothes with a toddler. She gets bored and starts to get impatient when I even attempt to “pop in” for a “quick look.” I end up avoiding it at all costs in order to avoid the resulting meltdown.
5. The Truth – Telling the truth is a good thing right? Not when the three year old decides to impart her words of wisdom specifically in a loud voice about people you know who are standing right next to you. I.E. “Mummy, why is Katie’s daddy looking so scruffy today?” Cue cringing and desperate babbling about how the toddler talks such utter nonsense.
What do you find embarrassing? And is there anything that you used to find embarrassing that no longer bothers you? I’d love to hear your thoughts. Tell me I’m not alone in this!
I’m pretty sure that our garbage men must think that we live on pizza and bourbon here. #bigpinklink
Glad it’s just not me then Jeremy!
This made me chuckle. So true re doctors, messy houses and laughing! Brilliant! Totally agree. #bigpinklink
Thank you glad you agree! X
Haha this made me laugh! We ALWAYS feed our childrens friends pizza, it’s just so easy isn’t it? As for the doctors, I used to cringe at my smear tests, now I don’t bat an eyelid! #bigpinklink
Yes why is it only pizza though?! I’m sure there must be some other quick dinners. If only I could be bothered to hunt down the recipes. Pizza it is then! X
Love this! a lot of things I don’t really care so much about now. Tiredness does have a lot to answer for! #bigpinklink
I think tiredness is the reason we don’t care what anyone thinks anymore! X
Hehe! The pelvic floor is just useless these days! I am totally over the embarrassment of tantrums, they happen, passers by should just think themselves lucky I am not also throwing one. I’m really not sure what embarrasses me these days… I’m sure the girls will remind me soon enough.
#BigPinkLink
Hah! I could see how joining in a tantrum in public could well cause a little bit of embarrassment. I may have been known to do this once or twice inside the safety of our home!! X
Hahaha! Me too!
Great list! Totally not alone. My embarrassment comes from the amount of takeaways and convenience food my hubby now eat, (not the kids of course, I’m far to conscious of Pinterest perfectionism for that. Although there are a fair few fish finger boxes in there too!), we just tend to reach for the pizza menu far too often!! Thanks for partying! #bigpinklink
Glad it’s not just us then Lou! I wish mine would eat fish fingers. It may end the boredom of pizza! Thanks for hosting. X
I never used to worry about the bottles in our recycling bags until a neighbour commented that we drank a lot of wine ..last week I took them to the bottle bank so she couldn’t look at them lined up outside our house waiting for bin day..then my husband told me to get a life! #bigpinklink
Life’s too short! But it is embarrassing to hear the bin men struggling!!
Lol the truth, that’s always a cringe moment. Definitely with you on the pelvic floor, coughing and sneezing in public, not the same as it used to be. #coolmumclub
Yes, will never be the same again!
Haha the last point about the truth really made me chuckle – I think the thing there is because telling the truth when it feels right and on your terms is one thing but being forced to tell the truth when you would really rather not at a little person’s behest is totally cringe-y! Thanks for linking up to #coolmumclub lovely x
Yep! We demand the truth but then when a 3 year old tells you stuff straight it can be toe curling! Thanks for hosting. X
Super post. Got me nodding to all the points:) LOLed at the garbage man and pelvic floor muscles!
#coolmumclub
Glad you enjoyed and could relate!! X
That pizza looks absolutely amazing lol. My son actually does only eat pizza and Sausages. Fact.
That part about clothes shopping? Well, I’m right there with you sister! On the plus side my kids save me so much money because I never end up buying all the things I intended (or needed) to buy for myself. I just don’t have the time or patience to clothes shop for myself anymore.
#coolmumclub
So true! I may not earn as much as when I was working full time, but I save so much money on never buying things I need or want!! X
Brilliant – it’s amazing how chilled we can be about an intimate examination these days eh?! I’d add to the list Discount store shops – and using their carrier bags. In my teens and maybe twenties I wouldn;t be seen DEAD carrying an ALDI bag ha ha, now I totally rock it #coolmumclub
Yep, never bat an eyelid now! Oh yeah the discount bag is a good one, don’t even notice what I’m carrying these days!! X
Back from #coolmumclub and still laighing. Not too hard, mind you. One has one’s pelvic floor to think about, obviously! 😉
Hah! Brilliant! X
Ha ha, these are so true. Although I still get embarrassed by public meltdowns when theyre really bad. And the truth telling of my son has left me in hot water on too many occasions to count!
#Coolmumclub
Kids telling the truth is definitely the most embarrassing!!
I used to never leave the house without makeup – now I rarely leave the house with it on! I also always resort to pizza for tea with friends, and don’t care about the doctors either! #coolmumclub
Oh yes make up before and after kids is a good one!!