10 Surprising Revelations About Parenthood: What I Once Disdained and Now Embrace

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During my childhood, I had rather narrow tastes. Sushi was revolting, beer seemed unappealing, and vacations were only enjoyable if they revolved around anything with a “Disney” label. However, as I matured, I began to appreciate the finer things in life—wine bars, EuroRail trips, and the deliciousness of pad thai. Then, I became a parent, and everything changed. The things I once dismissed now take on a new allure when viewed through the lens of motherhood. Here are ten examples:

1. Chain Restaurants: My inner gourmet would typically scoff at the idea of dining at chain establishments, dismissing them as offering mediocre food and lackluster service. Yet, despite the plethora of appealing dining options nearby, I often find myself at places like Friendly’s, where indulging in ice cream for breakfast is not only acceptable but encouraged. The chaos my kids create in these venues seems to be overlooked as they happily leave with balloons.
2. Children’s Programming: Initially, I found children’s shows bewildering, with their overly bright colors and nonsensical plots. However, after placing my 10-month-old in front of a Sprout show, I discovered it could captivate her for hours. Even though my toddler questions the shrill antics of characters like Dora, she still insists on wearing light-up sneakers featuring their faces. Kudos to the creators of kiddie content!
3. Video Calls: I used to view video calls as unnecessary. However, after spending a night away from my toddler, I realized their value. My heart melted when I communicated with her via FaceTime, even if the view was mostly of her forehead and her attire was questionable at best.
4. Family Vacations: As a child, I found family trips boring, with museums and national landmarks offering no funnel cakes. Now, as a parent, I appreciate the chance to take my children to wineries and breweries, and if they behave, maybe even treat ourselves to funnel cake.
5. Shopping Malls: Once, I dreaded walking through malls filled with endless kiosks and stores. However, having two children born in winter has made me grateful for the climate-controlled space to stroll and run errands, all while indulging in a Cinnabon.
6. Minivans: Initially, I viewed minivans as symbols of parenting surrender, representing a loss of individuality. Yet, as I struggled to fit an array of baby gear into our sedan, I found myself yearning for that spacious vehicle, despite its parking challenges.
7. School: In my youth, school was merely a distraction from fun. Now, it serves as a much-needed respite where I can reclaim my time for relaxation and enjoyment.
8. Stickers: Once, I failed to see the allure of stickers, viewing them as mere sticky paper. However, with two little ones, my house has transformed into a sticker gallery, with Hello Kitty adorning my shoes and Frozen characters covering the fridge. Alas, I now recognize that stickers can be a source of frustration.
9. Kid-Friendly Entertainment Venues: Before parenthood, I was oblivious to places like Chuck E. Cheese and petting zoos. Nowadays, I actively seek them out, often wishing I could pay for coffee with game tokens.
10. Children: They can be sticky, loud, and disruptive, seemingly determined to ruin my movie nights and invade my sleep. They also compel me to frequent malls and dine at chain restaurants. Yet, I wouldn’t trade these experiences for anything—except maybe for fewer stickers.

In conclusion, many of my previous aversions have transformed into cherished experiences through the lens of parenthood. While I may still have reservations about certain things, the joy that children bring far outweighs the chaos.

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