By Kelly Arnell of Why did we Have to Have All These Kids Anyway?

I used to be able to recite the movie Pretty Woman almost by heart and knew all the words to all the songs in Dirty Dancing.

Now that I’m a mom, I can quote lines from Cars and Toy Story and know the names of many of the non-leading characters.

I used to dance in clubs or bars, usually surrounded by a group of girlfriends and a drink or cigarette in my hand.

Now that I’m a mom, I dance in the middle of the kitchen with toddlers — whose sweet moves include spinning around in circles til you fall — and a spatula in my hand while I take breaks to mix dinner on the stove.

I used to drive a car to and from work, the back seat pretty much useless and empty.

Now that I’m a mom, I drive a van to and from school and Target and Starbucks, the back filled with car seats and back packs and crushed animal crackers and strollers.

I used to think cleaning my house was a never-ending, thankless, crappy job that I put off til the mess got so bad I could no longer ignore it.

Now that I’m a mom, EVERY SINGLE DAY the mess is so bad I can no longer ignore it. I still think it is a never-ending, thankless, crappy job, though.

I used to go days without eating a fruit or veggie. I ate in front of the TV watching Judge Judy. I was a stubborn, picky eater who didn’t like to try new things.

Now that I’m a mom, I eat my meals at the kitchen table with my kids and husband and serve a fruit and veggie with every lunch and dinner. I mean, I’m in no way the model for healthy eating (one word, McDonald’s) but now I will actually eat a salad or strawberry (in my earlier years I would not touch either of those things) so that my kids will try it too.

I used to have the mouth of sailor. I could drop f-bombs left and right. I never said f-bomb. I said fuck.

Now that I’m a mom, I say things like fudge, son of a biscuit, oh my goodness, crap, f-bomb, effing.

I used love the TV show Sex and the City.

Now that I’m a mom, I mostly watch PBS kids.

I used to dream about having a family of my own.

Now that I’m a mom, having a family tops any experience I’ve ever had before.

This piece was originally published on Why did we Have to Have all These Kids Anyway?

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About the Author

Kelly Arnell is a stay at home mom from Wisconsin. She has a husband who is completely in charge of bath time, 3 little monsters to cherish and love and to drive her insane! When she is not yelling at her kids to stop licking things, changing poopy diapers or trying to all around keep her kids fed, clothed and alive, she can be found at her at her blog, Why did we have to have all these kids anyway? Find her on Facebook and Twitter.