So you had a baby, you’re a new parent and…everything that you were before is no longer, right? Wrong. I’m not sure where this idea came from that once you have a baby you are a different person; a person that no longer has the desire to have a social life. However, I’m here to tell you: while a part of us is definitely changed, us new parents are still very much alive.
- You probably have this preconceived notion of parents going to bed at 8 pm every night, because, really, what else would they be doing? They are SO BORING. Well it may be true that you think I’m no longer interesting but the fact of the matter is I’m probably up later than any of your other friends, including yourself. And even when I do get my butt in bed, usually around midnight, I still wind up being UP most of the night. So really, I’m the most reliable friend you got. There is a great chance I’ll answer your 2 a.m. text while I’m up feeding, rocking, and pleading with the little nugget to go back to sleep.
- This is going to really come as a shock to you but (gasp!) I still like to have fun. I know this one will be hard for you to wrap your head around because, again, parents are so freaking boring and there is no possible way that they even KNOW HOW to have fun…let alone actually enjoy it. I guarantee I’m not the only parent that still has fun and even laughs. Heck, I think I probably have a better sense of humor than I did pre-baby (it could all be delirium from lack of sleep) So next time you think I won’t enjoy something fun you’re doing, think again. I probably really need a good laugh.
- My baby isn’t sentenced to life indoors. Believe it or not, we actually get out quite a bit. She’s quite the shopper and diner. We would love to catch up sometime over dinner, unless a baby sleeping at the table weirds you out…then we totally understand. I’m betting you’d actually really like her though, she’s a cool chick.
- And if it’s a non-baby function, there are times we are able to find someone to watch the little tyke. Just last weekend, we managed to get out of the house for a few hours to go out to dinner and a hockey game with friends. We must have behaved somewhat “OK” because they asked us to hang out again sometime.
People say you change when you have a baby and you’ll no longer want to do anything. But really, I think it’s your friends who change towards you. It’s a no-brainer that we won’t always be able to go and do everything that we are asked to do (we couldn’t before either) but please don’t stop asking us. If you don’t ask, we aren’t even given the chance to say “yes,” you’re automatically counting us a “no.”
My life may be hectic and busy, but I’m not dead.
xo, Jess
