When you're getting ready for pregnancy for the first time, you're probably so excited about the prospect of holding your first born in your arms that you completely ignore the negative aspects involved. Who cares about all those pregnancy hormone changes and difficult pregnancy symptoms when your dream is finally coming true? It's always good to be positive, but sometimes you have to take a good hard look at some less-than-thrilling aspects of motherhood to fully prepare yourself. After all, you don't want to feel disillusioned when it's finally time to be a parent, right? Not to burst your bubble, but here are some of the things you can kiss goodbye once you have a child.
1. White clothes
Nothing's chicer than a plain white T-shirt – it goes with everything. White dresses, pants and shorts are also summer staples that look fresh and keep you cool. But you can move those things to the back of your wardrobe for the next several years. When you're a mom, nothing you wear is safe from stains.
2. Spontaneous sex
Remember having spontaneous sex with your partner whenever the mood struck? Hold on to those memories, because this won't happen as much as it used to once you have a little one running around. You both might be so tired with a baby or toddler that you simply don't feel like having sex, even if he or she is sleeping. Scheduling time under the sheets sounds like a snoozefest, but it's a reality for many couples who just can't drop everything and do it anymore.
3. Me time
You don't have to totally give up me time when you're a mom, but you'll have a lot less of it. Gone are the days when you can wander the aisles of Target without a child in your cart or watch an entire romantic comedy after work without having to do something child-related. Babysitters can give you a break whenever you need it, but otherwise you'll have to make alone time when your first born is sleeping.
4. Sleeping in
Sorry, but there's no telling how long it'll be before you wake up at 10 or 11 o'clock again. Even 8 or 9 is a stretch when you have a little kid waking up at the crack of dawn every day – even on the weekends. Unless you go on vacation, you better change up your sleep schedule and make friends with 6 or 7 a.m.
5. Bathroom alone time
Spend as much time by yourself in the bathroom as you can during pregnancy, because you won't get to once your little one arrives. Baths, showers and even using the toilet won't be as relaxing when you can't leave your child unsupervised.
6. Friendships
You won't lose your friendships completely, but they might not be the same again once you have a baby. Depending on whether you're one of the first to have children or not, your friendships with your old pals might suffer. Even if your friends also have little ones, the time you spend together probably won't include the same types of activities. Instead of closing out the bar, you'll be chatting at the playground.
7. Quick exits
If you're one of those people who can shower, get dressed, grab breakfast and get out the door quickly in the morning, you can forget it once you have a child. You'll have a lot of extra steps to take care of before you can go anywhere, from packing the diaper bag, to getting your kid dressed, to making bottles. Start planning now how much earlier you need to get going.