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Child Health

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Submitted By rebeccadurrance
Words 965
Pages 4
Elky Brady
Dr. Price
ENC 1101
4 October 2011 My Children Changed My Life As anyone can imagine, having a child can really change a person’s life. Depending on the person, the change can be viewed as negative or positive. A lot of times this life-changing event can be an unexpected one and I personally know about the fears that come along this type of surprise. When comparing and contrasting my life before motherhood and now, the differences are extreme. Some of the biggest areas of impact to my life as a new mom were my financial situation, social life, and myself as a person in general. Raising children is very expensive. Before my boys, I was able to spend a lot on myself and after, any type of selfish spending was not an option or priority. Although I was thinking I would never be able to get by, there were a lot of easy ways that I discovered as a new mom that helped with the bigger financial responsibility. What makes it easier are the websites online that moms of all ages, experience levels, and varieties flock to in order to share their success stories, tips, and not-so-lucky situations that other moms can learn from. On the popular site SingleMom.com, one blogger posted about the several things that can be done around the house to save a few extra bucks. Suggestions such as replacing expensive aromatic candles with vinegar boiling on the stove do not seem like a big deal, and actually a little ridiculous but according to the site actions like these add up to savings that can be used towards gas money, groceries, and other rising price items that are necessities (Kennedy, par. 3). Couponing, something I had never done before, became a new hobby that helped pinch pennies. I even made a game out of it with my boys whenever they became old enough to understand “bargain shopping.” When I first found out I was pregnant with my oldest son Brenley, I was only twenty years old. My social life was obviously changed in a major way. While all of my friends were still in their party stage, college years, and excited to turn twenty-one, I had to immediately cut off that part of my life. I will be honest and say that it was not easy for me accept this change, especially because I did not realize how much the payoff (my son) would be worth all of the sacrifices. Even after pregnancy, a new mom’s social life is still very different from the one she had before. Most of my close friends also have children so we have an understanding of each other’s parenting responsibilities and a lot in common. Making friends and being socially active is tougher on moms, for starters because you have to think about the type of people you bring around your children. Megan Francis, a blog author for TheHappiestMom.com says the most important tips when meeting new friends are to be honest, open, around, specific, and persistent (Francis). Finally, becoming a mother changed my entire personality as well as my views on life. Before motherhood, I lived life not really worried about the impact of my actions on other people or their views of me as a person. Now I know my two biggest critics, who happen to be nine and seven years old are constantly watching me. Setting an example and being a positive role model is so important to me, and I want to be a mother they are proud of. Most mothers experience these types of changes for the better once their little ones arrive, even famous ones. Pediatrician and well known author, Perri Klass recently blogged about her new and improved self once she stepped into motherhood. Klass explained, “The experience of child rearing has brought a powerful day-by-day desire to do right by my children, and also to help shape the world into a good place for them to live their lives” (Klass M.D.). Klass brings up making the world a better place to live in which is an important, often overlooked factor. Although making the immediate surroundings of my children a safe and loving environment is top priority, their presence has also led to my desire for the world to be a better place. When I leave this world, I want to be leaving my children in one that is a good place. This mentality of moms lead a lot of women to begin giving back to charities and organizations through donations of monetary value or something as simple as volunteering. Obviously when comparing my life now to the one I had almost ten years ago, I could go on and on about the differences. Luckily, I am one of the mothers who saw these changes as a blessing in my life. Even though I struggled with the financial and social differences at first, I dealt with them day by day and learned a lot about myself. In the end I think I have become a stronger person and changed my life for the better. My two boys, Brenley and Payne are the greatest gifts I have ever been given and I would be willing to make any type of changes for their benefit

Works Cited

Francis, Megan. "Five Secrets to Building a Social Life as a Mom." 22 February 2011. The

HappiestMom.com with Megan Francis. 30 September 2011

.

Kennedy, Kelly. "Single Mother Resources to Make Due with Less Time and Money." July

2010. SingleMom.com, Resources for Single Mothers. 29 September 2011 .
Klass M.D., Perri. "How Being A Mom Changes You (For The Better)." 2 April 2011. Parenting.com. 30 September 2011 .

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