1. You're ALWAYS going to wonder if you're doing it right It doesn't matter how many books you read, studies you research, methods you try, or degrees you have, you're always going to wonder if you're doing things right and there are always going to be things to sway you in either direction.
2. It's not always fun Books and commercials will have you feel as if you should always be in a state of bliss raising children. Let's be honest...it's not always fun. Terrible twos, tyrannical threes and the throwback teenage years are somehow not always a pleasant experience.
3. You're going to receive more unsolicited advice than you will ever, ever want. Everyone will feel the need to tell you what you "need" to do with your children. The best ones are people that don't have children...they always think they know what they're talking about.
4. They smell. I know that's kind of a crude thing to say but it's true. As infants, it's natural because they wear diapers. They go through a bit of a non-smelly phase and then BOOM puberty hits and you're wondering what the fog of funk in the house is...kids smell.
5. Boys are NOT easier than girls...they're different Puberty hits boys and girls very, very differently but the fact is that neither is easier. Both will make you want to pull your hair out.
6. Everything you've ever said "never" about will happen in spades You're re-thinking everything you've said it about now, aren't you. "My child will NEVER throw tantrums. My child will NEVER smart off to me....." Yeah, God has a funny sense of humor. That is all.
7. You can't always trust doctors and studies to get it right The current correct methods of doing nearly everything with children changes pretty regularly. Belly to sleep, side to sleep, back to sleep. Rear-facing until age 1, rear facing until age 2, rear facing as long as possible. Quite frankly, gut instinct is always a great indicator, in my opinion.
8. Those string bikinis you thought were adorable before you had kids will appall you when you have a 5 year old that wants one. Admit it, you're not putting your daughter in that. It's not entirely appropriate and she's too little. Kids have a tendency to change your outlook.
9. You're going to be exhausted....24/7 Even being past the newborn stage, you will always have sleepless nights. It's a fact of life. Parenting is exhausting...when it's done correctly.
10. You will never "be ready" for the next phase they're facing You've heard people say "I'm not ready?" There's a reason for that. You're never ready for them to grow up and it goes by in the blink of an eye.
11. It's the most rewarding and yet the most hair-pulling experience ever Kids will stretch the limits of your patience...but they'll also stretch the limits of your love.
12. You're NEVER ready You can wait as long as you want to "be ready" but you'll never be ready. There's no preparation for the whirlwind that comes with having kids...none.
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