Life-changing. This is something that describes what couples experience once they become parents. I would know, because it happened to me, because it happened to us.
I remember a colleague of mine telling me when I was still heavy with my son, that when he comes out, our lives will change forever. It will be a 360 degree turn. I agreed with her because it was what I have observed with most of the friends who became parents earlier than me. Deep inside though, I still needed some convincing. But I never knew the extent of the influence parenthood makes until I became one. Priorities will change. That one, I assure you.
Before I married my husband, he was dead set of staying in our homeland and even told me that he never sees himself working overseas. Well, all of that changed, especially when we became parents. The proof? We have decided to try our luck and migrated to another country, start all over again, because we know that eventually, our decision will be best for our son. True enough, we are now seeing the wisdom behind our big move. Becoming a parent transforms you and your spouse. You become more selfless. You give more especially to your kids. Work takes a back seat. Extending your time at work is a no-no this time, because you would want to spend more time with your child. Missing out on parties or gatherings don’t bother you anymore. You try your best and you give your best in everything that you do because you only want the best for your child.
Looking back at our own journey I can say that my son did a wonderful thing to me and my husband without even trying! Just by being born, he made me and his dad focus on things that really matter. Just by being born, he made us go out of our comfort zones, hard as it may be. He transformed us to become better individuals. He made us attend to more important things. I am pretty sure; we are not alone on this. I am pretty sure that many parents, like me, can attest how parenthood has brought out the best in them. How they managed to prioritize the more important things in life.
Being a parent is no easy task. It is an everyday thing. But despite the hardships parents face in raising their children, the beauty of parenthood, still outweighs the problems. Parenthood, life-changing? Definitely.
