21 Thoughts It’s Totally Fine to Have Once You Become a Parent

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Having a baby is no walk in the park. You might have been a capable adult who could hold a decent convo before, but now? Your world is officially upside down. Buckle up because the next 18 years are going to be a wild ride. With a little one in your life, you’ll find yourself thinking all sorts of things—some rational, some a bit paranoid, and some that are better left unsaid. But guess what? It’s all perfectly normal as long as you keep being a great parent. Here are 21 thoughts that might cross your mind:

1. It’s okay to believe your baby is not winning any beauty contests.
2. It’s perfectly fine to think nap time is your favorite part of the day.
3. It’s reasonable to feel like you really need that third glass of wine more than your baby needs that pure, non-alcoholic breast milk.
4. You might find yourself thinking you owe your mom a huge apology.
5. It’s okay to think that when you finally hit your pre-baby weight, you deserved a crown.
6. It’s totally fine to seriously consider formula options while standing in the baby aisle with a wailing newborn and no bottle in sight.
7. You might think all guys should experience simulated labor before graduating high school.
8. It’s perfectly valid to feel that carrying a watermelon in your belly for months gives you the right to complain about the aftermath.
9. Sometimes, you might think your baby is acting like a little rascal on purpose, regardless of what the pediatrician says.
10. It’s okay to wonder if you’re already passing your biased views onto your newborn, but hey, he’ll figure it out eventually.
11. You might find yourself longing for the days when your child is older and life feels “normal” again, only to panic when you realize this is the new normal.
12. It’s alright to reflect on how you might have been a bit of a jerk about crying babies in public before you had one.
13. You might think you’re a little superior to those fit twenty-somethings with their untouched bodies (and feel guilty about it too).
14. It’s okay to think your baby will survive another hour or three in that dirty diaper.
15. You may find it slightly odd that you’re touching another person’s private parts multiple times a day.
16. It’s okay to think your friends with kids are going about it all wrong, as long as you keep that thought to yourself.
17. You might think those strangers giving you judgmental looks when your baby’s crying or dressed oddly are probably just clueless.
18. It’s totally fine to (sometimes) think your partner is a bit of an idiot too.
19. You may think, okay, maybe I was the idiot all along—but you’ll never admit it out loud.
20. It’s okay to realize you vastly underestimated what you signed up for.
21. It’s completely acceptable to change your mind daily about whether you’re content with one child or want to have a whole crew.

The beauty of thinking is that it’s just that—thinking! With a baby, you’re likely facing a major sleep deficit, so if you accidentally blurt out one of those thoughts, just blame it on the hormones! And if you’re worried about becoming a heartless jerk, remember: this isn’t really you; this is you on zero sleep. One day, you’ll feel like yourself again, just in about twenty years or so!

If you’re interested in more support on the parenting journey, check out our other blog post on home insemination for helpful resources. For those curious about fertility options, Make A Mom is a great authority on the subject. And for a thorough understanding of insemination procedures, Cleveland Clinic provides excellent resources.

In summary, becoming a parent comes with a whirlwind of thoughts and feelings, many of which are perfectly normal. Embrace the chaos, lean on your support systems, and remember, you’re not alone in this journey.