Things I miss from the BC years

There are the obvious things I miss from the BC (before children) years but I can live without

Sleep

Silence

Not sharing my food

Peeing without an audience/running commentary

Being on time.

Then there are the things that I wish I could have at least bid a proper farewell to. If I’d have known it was the last time I’d have done it better.

Things I miss from the BC years!

My figure

My waist and jawline have been replaced but kangaroo pouch and chins.
Multiple.
I live in fear of getting one of those huge necks that hang down from the chin and wobble like a turkey. The kind that makes it look like your head is attached to your body with blancmange.

Spontaneous Nights Out

I miss deciding at 6pm that we’ll go out for a pint or to the pictures because we can.

Even if we had the luxury of a 24Hr babysitter on standby, ‘The Figure’ has ensured that I can no longer throw something on.
Instead I must try on numerous outfits, cry a while, get cross with myself then put on the first thing I tried.
It’s all very time consuming and not very spontaneous.

 Planned Nights Out

We may have a babysitter but still it’s not like the old days. We’ll be home before midnight and we don’t want to drink too much because a 6am start and a day of chatter with a hangover is most unpleasant.
When we have the luxury of the children being at Grandma’s for a holiday we have every intention of living it large.

One day last year we had brunch in Harrogate, went to the cinema in Leeds, then went to the pub for a few drinks before popping to the shop to buy something for tea.
Three dates in one day and we were still home by 9.30pm.
The Rock & Roll is there in spirit but not in action.

 Holidays

In the BC years a holiday might involve a bit of site seeing, reading on the beach, afternoon naps and late dinners. Even a hectic city break could be broken up by nipping into a bar or a restaurant without firstly checking there is a kids menu.
Ambling round a Provencal market is now a 10 minute dash before the children are bored and we’re buying their ‘good’ behaviour with ice cream.

A trip to the beach used to mean taking a towel and a book, now it’s a pop up tent, spare clothes, nappies, snacks, drinks, balls, buckets & spades.
The whole time is then spent running back and forth to the sea

“but Daddy I’m sandy, I need to wash it off…Oh no the sand is back, I need to wash it off again”…..

I used to love visiting hotels too, a chance to relax and unwind. Now it’s sitting silently, sipping wine from a plastic cup in the dark at 7pm so the children can get to sleep.

A Normal Handbag

I’ve always been one for a large handbag (you never know what you may acquire as the day goes on) but it generally contained the basics; purse, phone, keys, lip balm, eyeliner and a kite.

Now my handbag has been replaced by a messenger bag and the contents are substantial.
At this precise moment my bag contains; purse, phone, keys, kite, reins, a nappy, nappy sacks, wet wipes, antibacterial gel, 2 wooly hats, 1 pair of socks, 2 pairs of gloves, some pebbles, some sand, a penny, a ticket, a Mickey Mouse hair slide, some pencils, the best drawing ever, tissues (clean and used) a small hippo, a tiny pony purse, a gel pen that doesn’t work(but I’m not allowed to throw away), a shopping bag and 2 notepads.

 Watching Grown Up TV during the day

I used to love an afternoon of binge watching, CSI, Criminal Minds, Law & Order, American Horror Story.
Alas all of the shows I like contain swearing, blood and general disturbing behaviour.
My daytime TV viewing has now been replaced by Ben & Holly, Paw Patrol and Toy Story. I’m not too proud to admit I even have a favourite character in each show.

To all these amazing things I say goodbye.
I am sorry I took you for granted.
I miss you all greatly and live in hope of us reuniting one day.