10 Surprises About Being a Parent

10) I didn't realize how much the sibling "rivalry" would affect me They compete, they're jealous of each other at the same time they adore and idolize one another. It is a very complex relationship. I see it, yet can't really do much about it.

9) No one told me all my stuff would grow feet. You can't put anything down without it moving when you're not looking. At first you have some tricks...like surfaces they can't reach, but then they keep growing so those surfaces diminish. How did all my shoes walk out of my closet? I'm pretty sure I haven't worn those red heels in years.

8) Some activities, no matter how fun they sound, couldn't possibly be fun enough to make up for all the effort required to participate. My friend invited us to go to the snow. It sounded fun until I began thinking through the steps... find/ buy warm & waterproof clothes, mittens, hat,snacks, pack diaper bag, wipes, is the car in good enough condition to make it? Hmm, my 6 month and 2 year old just aren't going to appreciate it that much.

7) I spend a lot of mental effort worrying about if I'm giving them everything they need.

6) Its really hard not to compare them to each other. They have different personalities and reach milestones at different places, but I'm really only familiar with how my first did it, so I always compare my second to that.

5) They are your comedians.

4) I remember growing up having to call for my mom multiple times before she would respond. Now I hear many times a day, "MOM, MOM, MOM, MOM"... when I finally figure out what she's asking for, I have to wonder why I'm being interrupted in the first place. Its no wonder mother's develop a delayed response time.

3) It really puts your body through the ringer. This one they tried to warn me about. I'm not the same as I was before kids. In some ways thats a positive, but suddenly, my typically weak abdominal muscles don't even have the strenght to help me up from a lying position. I'm just like my baby, I have to roll over and push myself up with my hands!

2) They have/need/want lots of stuff, and the surprising thing - I really want to give them those things. Opportunities to play on sports teams, music lessons, pre school, nutritious food, play kitchens, swing sets, bikes, strollers, fun treats, cute bedrooms. Mine are even too young to ask for things and still the list of things we have is long, the things we still need exists, and the want list... well, between me and the kids, that's pretty exhaustive.

1) Joy takes work. I had children because I believe they bring joy. This has proven true, but as I mopped the floor today it occured to me... things that bring real joy, take lots of work. Having a clean organized house - lots of work. Having a fit, healthy body - lots of work. Having happy well adjusted children - yeah, that seems to be a lot of work too (and there are still no guarantees)   I guess you just have to do the best you can and trust that everything will work out in the end.