There is no doubt that my love for my daughter spans the circumference of the earth, solar system and the milky way. That being said, there are quite a lot of things I have had to adjust, change or cut out all together now that I am a mum. I would never wish for a second to go back to life prior to having a baby, but there are times (and I think that we can all agree) where a sense of nostalgia hits home when memories recur of a time now past. Many would probably guess that the pre-baby body would be the first thing on the list, but actually no, the things I miss after having a baby are a little different. Let’s see if you share my absent friends...
Travel
Ok, I reckon there are thousands of parents who put off taking a holiday once having a baby. Travelling with kids does not have me reaching for my passport and thinking of sunbathing quietly on a beach. One reason why people may travel is to get away from normal life, from work or the daily routine. With a child in tow, life can’t just stop in exchange for a beach and a daiquiri. So essentially, you are having to take your life with you on holiday, and for me, that’s not really the sense of escapism I want. So almost two years later, we still haven’t been abroad, and I’m not counting a trip to Ireland for a friend’s wedding as abroad.
Spontaneous events and premieres
So many times have I seen a really cool event happening when I’m scrolling through my phone in the morning, but there is no way I can get to it with a child. When I was living in London, as a Lifestyle Blogger, I would be attending events and premieres each week to keep up to date with the blogging and PR world. Now - when I am lucky enough for an invite to land in my inbox - 95% of the time I must politely decline. This is quite disheartening as I have definitely missed out on some stellar events and premieres recently!
Adhoc work opportunities
Before I became a mum, I was lucky enough to be an extra in a Hollywood movie. Luck being the operative word here as I was just in the right place at the right time. However, I enjoyed it so much that I decided to sign up for a few extra sites and set up a portfolio. I often get emails after being put forward for a stand-in role or body double for costume fittings, but these are always incredibly last minute with less than 24 hours notice and always during the week. So at the moment, these are another thing I have to sadly decline.
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Cinema dates
As a huge film and TV fan, I am frankly appalled at my cinema attendance this year. I think I can count on one hand how many times I have set foot in a cinema which is hard to take as I just love the big screen. On days where the stars align, a babysitter in the form of my mum or sister is on hand and Alice is down at a reasonable time to bed, Paul and I whisk off as fast as we can and do the 1.5-mile drive to the movies. But even then it’s not exactly as it was before; I find myself worrying if something has happened and I can’t stop myself from checking my phone during the movie, which is both stressful and a bit crazy I admit.
Jumping and other sorts of strenuous activity
The last thing I miss after having a baby is the ability to jump on a trampoline or do a cartwheel in the back garden without having one embarrassing side-effect... leaky bladder syndrome. I try as hard as I can to stay up to date with living room yoga weekly and core exercises daily, but I still can’t manage to jump up and down without a little something happening. I think my days of gymnastics, pole dancing and hardcore rock music moshing are sadly over.
Without meaning to depress, offend or scare any readers, I shall leave you with the reason for my change in lifestyle... I would miss her most of all if I had to give her up!
