Parents Shared Photos Of Themselves Before And After Having Children
They say your life changes after you have kids, but there's nothing like a side by side photo to prove just how true that actually is. One dad decided to start an Instagram page where he could share photos that people submit of their lives before and after having children, and it's something every parent can relate to.
From sweaters covered in spit up to falling asleep at any given moment, parents can take pleasure in knowing they're not the only ones whose dogs don't exactly love the new bundle of joy they've brought into the house.
Dressed To The Nines
"From dressed to the nines to asleep by nine" these photos show something every couple can relate to. You used to be that fun couple who actually went out on weekends and maybe even weeknights too if you were feeling particularly crazy.
Now you spend your nights falling asleep at 8:30 holding your baby while watching that one episode you've re-started three times this week, because you keep falling asleep before 9 pm.
Time For A Trade
That right there is the face of a man saying "hi I'd like to trade in these two children please." No more vacations in Bora Bora for you, now it's all babies all the time.
Based on dad's clothing we're guessing that he got home from work and his wife immediately handing him a baby, saying something along the lines of "I've spent all day with them it's your turn now." None of the boys seem thrilled about it, quite frankly.
From Poser To Posterboard
This mom probably wasn't expecting to take up a career as a personal poster board to her future child, but alas, life doesn't always work out as you planned.
There are two upsides to this situation. The first is that you're awake and you're aware that this is happening. The second is that it's stickers and not a permanent marker. Thank goodness because no one wants to be going grocery shopping with slightly faded greyish doodles on their face.
Brotherly Love
Parents and puppies aren't the only ones that can get hit with a reality check when you bring a new baby into the world. Lest we forget the older sibling who goes from star of the show to a potential backup dancer.
This older brother managed to accept and embrace his new role with all the grace that comes with that plastic pink princess tiara. What's more important: sibling bonding or lacrosse?
Neverending Laundry Cycle
We can pretty much guarantee that no matter what you envisioned for your future, this wasn't it.
"From little black dress to big white mess. I can't believe she stopped to take a photo before incinerating that hoodie!" How could she not document this momentous occasion to use as blackmail 10 years from now against her husband and/or child? Plus she had to document it to show other mothers that they're not alone!
Living The Dream
The t-shirt really says everything you need to know. This new mom is living the dream, it's just a different kind of dream that now involves needing to do laundry a lot more frequently and living your life based around what this tiny, hungry, crying baby needs.
Some days it'll feel like this shirt is mocking you, but on the days when your little tyke says their first word or takes their first steps, you'll forget all about your trip to Rome.
Kicking And Screaming
You've been up all night with your baby, he starts to cry and all you can think is "what have you got to be crying about?" The screaming becomes too much and suddenly your husband walks into the bedroom to find both of you crying.
Or maybe mom comes home after an afternoon away and finds that dad wasn't quite ready for the solo babysitting shift yet. Every mother of a newborn has been there, right?
A Walking Napkin
A parent's love knows no boundaries. They really will do anything for their children, including transporting you wherever you need to go while also being your own personal napkin. Dads can multitask too right?
Part of us feels like this dad should've seen this one coming. Everyone knows children are incapable of eating any sort of popsicle, ice cream cone, or other frozen treats without dripping it all over, so why set yourself up for failure?
The Days Of Dining Out Are A Distant Memory
You went from dining out to just dining whenever you can. Eat when you can, sleep when you can, that's what a parent does basically. We're also pretty sure that when they got the first dog this was a "no dogs on the furniture" household, but by the time you reach three dogs plus a newborn, anything goes as long as everyone is happy.
The best part about this photo is the baby who's just chilling like he knows he's responsible for this mess and he absolutely does not care.
The Face Of Someone Who Has Given Up
"From 'I'm on a boat!!!' to 'He's on my throat!!!'" the woman in the before picture definitely never expected this. No parenting book or TLC show prepared you for the moment when you would transition from parent to personal coffee table and chair.
It's funny because mom's face tells us this isn't the first time she's been sat upon, but she's given up and accepted it. It probably won't be the last time this happens either...
Save A Horse Ride A Cowboy
"Have kids," they said... "It'll be fun," they said... As a parent, you need to be prepared to be constantly at your child's disposal. They're hungry? Time for you to make a snack. Can't sleep? Time for a bedtime story! Oh, you're bored? Okay, well looks like mom can be your personal rocking horse.
Just hold onto her hair for stability, that definitely won't hurt her. If you do it first thing in the morning while she's still drinking her coffee that's even better.
Multitasking Is A Superpower
If you ever need a lesson in multitasking, spend time with the mother of a toddler or newborn. They're capable of anything. This mom went from posing on social media to being the biggest influencer in their baby's life, and killing it.
Quite frankly, if you want to learn how to multitask you should spend time with any mother, regardless of how old their children are. They'll show you how to cook, clean, talk on the phone, and type an email at the same time.
They Grow Up So Fast
For their first wedding anniversary, this couple decided to take a photo to show how much their lives have changed since getting married, and it was perfect.
From the wrinkled outfits to the messy hair to the baby who is mid-scream, every parent has been there. How can one little human make so much noise and so much mess, yet still be so worth it? It's one of life's great mysteries!
Double Trouble
Having twins, whether you're a new mom or a seasoned veteran, is a whole new level of stress. Even if you have the best-behaved babies in the world, there's two of them now, which means everything is significantly more difficult than it was before.
You went from a young, carefree, fun-loving 20-something to someone who hasn't done laundry in two weeks and probably hasn't washed her hair in that long either.
Fashionable Choices
You tell yourself you're not going to be the dad who wears embarrassing outfits and lets their kids dress them up, but once your kids are born you can't say no to them.
Then you tell yourself that you're going to draw the line and not let your wife take any pictures of you, but you see that happy look on your daughter's face and you just can't resist, regardless of the fact that you're wearing a tutu on one leg.
KnockOut
Before having children, this dad thought he was the ultimate fighter, but now it's pretty clear based on those tiny fists that dad is no longer in first place.
Every man says they're a tough guy until their wife shares an image like this on Facebook or Instagram and completely outs them. At that point, dad should just embrace it. The secret is out, we know you're all secret softies at heart.
Sorry Barry
Parents aren't the only ones affected when you bring a baby into the world! Your pets, who previously were the babies of the family that you gave all your love and affection to, are now the second fiddle.
Look at Barry in the first picture — so happy and unsuspecting. He didn't realize he was about to be bumped down the totem pole. Barry in the second picture? He's been traumatized, he understands how life works now, and he's not happy about it.
Drinking Buddies
There's nothing easy about being the mother of a newborn. Sometimes you really need a drink, but then you remember that even though you waited 9 months to have a glass of wine, you're going to have to wait until your little one moves on to real food... so close yet so far away.
These friends went from going to get drinks on a Friday night to being a bartender for their babies. This probably isn't the wild nights they imagined themselves having in the future but at least they have a buddy to laugh about it with!
Parenting Glow-Up
This is one of those times that getting toddlered really isn't a bad thing. Sometimes a parenthood glow-up is exactly what you need, and you find that your "after" picture is a significant improvement compared to the "before."
This man went from being someone who low rides his pants and probably causes a ruckus in Target to someone who you'd actually be happy to be seen in public with. Having kids isn't always a bad thing, right?
He Looks Happier After
Quite frankly, this dad looks a whole lot healthier and happier in the after picture now that he's got the matching hairstyle and smile to go along with his daughter's.
While your life is definitely going to change when you become a parent, try not to dwell on all the things you're missing out on, because any parent will tell you that the positives outweigh the negatives by miles.
Learning To Multitask
A big part of parenting is learning to multitask. If you're not good at it already, you're going to learn to at least be passably good at it after your kids are born because you have no choice. If you can't multitask, you'll never get anything done.
This dad has clearly learned that lesson, which is why he swapped out his second drink for a baby, but still has the one to sip on.
That Drinking Buddy Aged Backwards
Just because he's not able to drink the actual beer on the beach with you does not mean that your son won't make for a great drinking buddy at any point in his life!
He can enjoy his bottle of milk or maybe even juice if you're feeling particularly crazy, then you can both sit in silence watching the crowds like you would have done with your friends anyways.
Sharing Is Caring
Sharing is caring, and your children don't care about the fact that you don't want to share every meal you eat with them.
If there's food in the house that you don't want to share with your children, you better not let them know you have it. Wait to eat anything good until after they go to bed unless you want them to put their tiny paws all over it or repeatedly ask you to share until you give in.
Co-Sleeping Is Going Great
Cosleeping is an option that a lot of parents choose for their children, but it's not all rainbows and sunshine.
The children love it, but having children in your bed every night is not great for any spouse who actually wants to sleep next to their partner and doesn't want to wake up with feet in their face every other morning,
Modeling Good Behavior
She went from modeling on rooftops to being a role model for her children.
Someday her kids will be old enough to appreciate how pretty mummy looked in those pictures before they were born, but they'll also be old enough to appreciate how important the job she does now is too. It's definitely a different life than she used to live, but she wouldn't trade it in.
Seeing Her Smile Makes It Worth It
He may have considered himself to be a macho man before his children were born, but anyone will tell you that the dad on the right is far more impressive.
A dad who is willing to indulge his daughter and do anything for her, no matter how embarrassing it could end up being for him, is the kind of dad that any man should aspire to be.
From Fist Pumping To Breast Pumping
Your Saturday night set up looks a little different once you become a parent. Even if you do have the opportunity to go out, there's a lot more to prepare than before.
You've got to find someone to watch the kids, plus you have to prepare everything they could possibly need, and you've got to leave milk in the fridge for the baby. Plus, you have to then leave your children who you'll miss even though you're genuinely excited to get to leave.
Maybe The Beard Was A Bad Idea
The beard seemed like a great idea as you were growing it out. It makes you look a little older, you feel like you've embraced your role as a dad, plus you get to annoy your wife with it.
The problem you didn't think of is that it also means you have more hair for your children to pull on or for your children to attach things like hair clips to.
These Women Require Even More Attention
If you thought that women were needy before, wait until you meet your daughters. You get to spend all day around women you love, but they're going to ask a lot more of you.
You'll have to help them eat, put them to sleep, learn to brush their hair and maybe even braid depending on how many daughters you have or how strong your desire to send her to school with a semi-reasonable hairstyle is.
Get Ready For Bodily Fluids
Your standards for what makes you uncomfortable or what you consider to be gross are going to be significantly lowered after your child is born.
You will quickly become unfazed by the various situations even bodily fluids that you child is going to put you through. Hold your breath, clean up the mess, and always make sure to pack an extra change of clothes for both you and your baby when you're going out in public.
They Know When You're Unprepared
Unfortunately for you, there are going to be moments where your kids realize that you're flying by the seat of your pants when it comes to this whole parenting thing. Kids are perceptive and they can pick up on that energy, especially in moments when you don't want them to.
Just look at the judgement on this tiny little girl's face. She knows that she's got mom wrapped around her finger and that she's the boss in that household.
It Used To Be A Peaceful Household
Your dog may quickly warm up to the idea of having a tiny human to toddle around the house, but chances are if you have cats, they're going to take a little longer to warm up to this new person.
They used to be able to peaceful nap on whatever surface in the house they wanted to, but now they'll have to be more strategic about where they choose to cat nap.
You Can Tell Them About Your Glory Days
You might have moments where you wish that you could still be living out your "glory days" like this dad who used to be in a rock band, but now you've got children which means you have people to tell about those supposed glory days.
While they lie on the couch with you squirming and crying, you can tell them all about how daddy used to be cool, but now he spends his nights getting his hair pulled by a tiny child.
You Live Your Life By Their Schedule
You're going to spend a lot of your time as a parent making sure that your kids have routine in their lives and a schedule to follow, but that doesn't mean that you're going to have a schedule. It's just going to be chaos for you.
As far as a sleep schedule goes, you're going to learn very quickly that you should sleep when the baby sleeps, because sometimes those moments are few and far between...
Do You Even Lift?
From lifting two drinks to his mouth to lifting two kids over his head in the pool. One of these activities is far better for his liver than the other, so that's a positive.
Plus, since you no longer have any actual time to yourself to make it to the gym, you can use your children as free weights and call it your workout for the day. Those two are probably at least 50 pounds each.
You Could End Up Outnumbered
After your first child is born there's going to be a learning curve and it'll be an adjustment for everyone but you'll eventually get the hang of it.
Once you're finally starting to feel like you've got this job in the bag, you might choose to have another child (or a few more) and then suddenly you're outnumbered. That's when the real fun begins, as you can see by this man's face as his sons pile on top of him.
Their Safety Is The Priority
Play time can be a little rough depending on whether you have boys or girls. And safety standards? Oh no, we don't have those in this household, and you probably won't either.
As long as your child is safe and they're happy, you're probably going to be willing to let them put a bag over your head just so you can get a few seconds of silence, or to see them smile.
Oh, The Memories You'll Make!
Do you like spending your time around humans who absolutely do not care about personal space and are still learning about how their actions or body parts impact other people? If you answered yes, then parenting is the job for you!
There will be many a time in your parenting career where you end up getting sat upon or wake up with feet in your face. It comes with the territory.
His Shirt Doesn't Lie
Once you have a child, you'll realize why all of your fellow parent friends never had the energy to go out on a Saturday night or even answer a text message more than a couple times a week.
All your energy is going to go to keeping that little dude alive, and he is happily going to snatch it all from you. As long as his battery is full, yours doesn't matter.
