It’s your prerogative to ignore certain parenting comments

Announcing you are expecting can be both an anxious and an exciting time. No matter how unbelievably happy you are, once your news is out there, brace yourself because you have just become an open target for unwanted parenting advice and passing comments.

 

Before the sentence is out of your mouth, you are likely to be on the receiving end of not-so-subtle comments about how all the fun things in your life are now finished - hidden behind the cries of congratulations in a sea of jokes and comical statements, of course.

 

And while you definitely won’t be able to stop them, you can totally ignore them because here are the things that just aren't true:

 

“Enjoy your sleep while you can"

You will sleep again. I promise. And whether you go on to have two, three, or even four more kids, you won’t be awake for the rest of your life. Maybe for the first four years, but definitely not forever. In the dark of night remember that lie-ins are not over – they’re just being put on hold for awhile.

 

“Say goodbye to your social life"

Having kids doesn’t mean you’ll never go out ever again. And if wine is your tipple of fancy you will be able to let yourself go – your fun days are not over. Although you will definitely weigh up the pros and cons of your hangover before you head out...

 

“Better make the most of date night" 

You will get to enjoy time with just you and your significant other, eventually. It might not be this week or even this month, but there is a date night in the near future, you’ve just got to believe it.

 

“That'll be the end of your holiday adventures"

Who’s to say you can’t pop your baby in a rusksack and head off on a trip of a lifetime. Well maybe not IN a rucksack, but the world is still your oyster. Yes, we’re not totally oblivious to the fact that work and commitments can get in the way, but we can all dream, right?

 

"You will never have 'me-time'"

If you want to, you will. Having a baby doesn't mean you are going to forget who you are - you might not be at the top of your own priority list but you will still be you.

 

When it comes to motherhood, there are always going to be people who tell you what you can and can’t do. But take it with a pinch of salt and just do it anyway. 

 

Mary Byrne is a staff writer at MummyPages and mum to a horse-crazy, sports-mad, seven-year-old girl.