If you’re a parent then you already know just how much you have to sacrifice in order for your children to succeed in life. If you’re not a parent but are planning on becoming one, or you’re already pregnant, you’ve probably started reading about all the many things you can do to help your child get the best possible start in life. But there’s more, thing you’ve probably not yet realised, and that is: you’re going to have to sacrifice a big chunk of who you are once you’ve got a little one in tow. The good news? It’s absolutely worth it.

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Your Time

Remember those lazy sunday mornings where you’d do nothing but lie in bed and watch your favorite movies? Yeah, you might want to book one of those days in for this weekend, because those blissful days will one day be a thing of the past. For the best part of the next two decades, you’ll be on parent patrol. That means being up to make breakfast, transporting your children to their sporting events, and preparing those killer sunday evening dinners.

For The Future

It’s not just about the here and now, either. To become a parent is to assume responsibilities that will never really go away. You have to commit to working hard to make sure they have everything they need in life, both when you’re here and should something happen to you; if you haven’t yet, look at getting life insurance. These are the options that’ll ensure your family will continue to prosper should you pass on. You’ll also not only be saving cash for your retirement, but so they can go to university, put a deposit down on a house, and get married, among other major life events.

Those Bad Habits

Everybody has bad habits…everybody, that is, except for parents. Whatever your vices are, they’re going to have to become pretty well concealed until your children are of an age where they’re no longer under your influence. Smoking? Nope, you’re going to have quit. Late nights at the bar? Sorry. And swearing when someone cuts you off on the road? Darn, that’ll have to go too.

Passions Become Secondary

You won’t be dedicating your entire life to your children, but they’re going to take up a pretty hefty chunk of your attention, and unfortunately that means that your passions might have to take a backseat for a while. It’s not easy to spend a weekend climbing mountain peaks when you have a family at home. Although you can always prep them to have the same passions as you and do them all as one family when they’re older.

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Freedom

When you’re young and free, you’re bound by little beyond whatever feels right at the exact time. As a parent, you won’t have the luxury of being able to be spontaneous, because everything you do will have to be cross-checked with the needs of your child. With all this being said, don’t forget that parenting is the greatest job you’ll ever have – so don’t lament what’s gone, celebrate what’s arrived!