What do you want to do before having kids?
Here I am talking about another Glamour blogger today, but this post on Vitamin G intrigued me, especially after spending the weekend with Eric’s niece and nephew.
The post lists six things that everyone should do before having kids, they include: travel, go out to dinner lots, sleep, have a career, be selfish and get in the best shape of your life. I couldn’t agree with her more.
Saturday, Eric’s sister came for the night with his niece and nephew. The two cutest kids on earth, I love them both to death. But, shopping with Cheryl made me realize how much kids go first once you have them. When we were at a clothing store she was looking for clothes for the kids while I was browsing the women’s section. We went to Jysk where she got a bunk bed and I bought candles and slippers. See a pattern?
Everything she bought was for the kids, everything I bought was for, well, me!
A more specific list of things I want to do would be: Travel, lots. Have a career. Get married. Run a half-marathon (almost there). Run a full marathon. Get a dog. Have money and spend it on ME: clothes, spa trips, you name it.
a weekend will wear you down. 18 years before they go off to college will put you in the ground. very few, if any, people are ready for kids at age 20. our first one was born 2 weeks before i turned 30. by that point, your whole point of view has completely changed.
at the same time, when you have kids you have no idea what you’re into until you are there. you don’t realize you can feel that way about someone else, and the “putting the kids first” is a natural sacrifice that you never even think about. it just kind of happens. that’s why people say it will change your life. you have no idea how your mother feels about you until you feel that same way about one of your kids. you have no idea how cool it is for your mom when you say “i love you” until you hear one of your kids say it to you.
now go call your mom.
Of COURSE it’s ok! I don’t even want kids, and that’s ok too. When you decide to have them, if at all, is totally up to you.
Of course it's okay that you don't want kids. I love kids also but I don't want any right now either!
My list of things to do before I have children:
* By house and decorate it the way I want before the toys come into play
* Get another dog
* Run a half marathon/marathon
* Travel to France & Italy
* Learn to play the piano
* Become fluent in French
* Go to a spa for five days to soak up me time
* lose some more weight =)
I really liked her list too, it was pretty much the same one I’d make for myself
I would DEFINITELY want to get down to a healthy weight, run a 1/2 and full marathon, do a triathlon (which I’m THINKING of doing in september but we’ll see), have money…ok, I want to do quite a few things 
lol!
Traveling more before I have children is high on my list. I have lots of little ones in my life to give me my baby fill until I’m ready for my own!
I’m exhausted after a day with Charlie, 21 month old niece, or Siarra, 20 month old god daughter. Its not a bad exhaustion, not like a long day at work, I’m not stressed when the girls leave. I absolutely love them, they make me want to have kids, they are so fun!! And I miss them when they have to go home. Steve would be an amazing dad, so I’m not at all worried to have kids. Its more the whole birthing part that freaks me out!! LOL we say we’d like be married for a year, do some travelling and I’d like to loose some more weight. I told Steve’s I’d like to experience my youthful body….lol I’ve always been on the “healthy side”. LOL However, if we were to find out tomorrow I was knocked we wouldn’t loose too much sleep…..its not important for use to be married first and we’re doing very well in our careers and situation in life. If we were to go by the “plan” then we’d start having kids when I’m 30…..so 3 years from now. Who knows what will happen though LOL
You and Eric have tons and tons of time!!! LOL
I love the pic of lil D-man and Lena, soooooooooooooooooooo cute!! I miss them!
Katrina
I’ve got four kids — and I’m in the best shape of my life now.
You’re life gets a bit put on hold when the kids are little, as their needs are so intense. But it gradually lessens. I agree with the woman who says you really don’t think about the sacrifice — once you’re ready.
The one thing I regret is not traveling overseas. I traveled a lot in the U.S. and Canada, but I never went to Europe. Now, it’d be a lot more financially prohibitive.
Hey, I have ANOTHER question about yoga…sorry :S I have a feeling there will be a lot of back and forth regarding that topic
Since I’m just beginning regular yoga, I don’t think I’ll get the month membership because I have a feeling that too many options will just end up with me not doing anything
So I’m going to start out with just buying one or two videos I think. I’m really confused about the type of yoga though :S Which ones do you do?
I like this a lot.. I’m very much the same way.
I want to
a: travel. Lots.
b: get in shape.
c: finish whatever I need schooling wise.
d: be married.
Thanks so much Amber!!!! That’s exactly what I wanted to know
I’m so excited to try both! And you were right about the flowiness, just MENTIONING it made me want to try it out right away 
I’ll let you know how they go once I try it 
I’ll keep the email in mind, in case sometimes I have silly or long questions
Thanks!
AMEN to everything listed above. I think as broad thing I want to do before I have kids is prepare myself for having them. Have a stable source of income, and definitley wear EVERYTHING that you shouldn’t as a MOM. I don’t wanna be the mother of a child who is embarassed by the fact that I’m wearing a halter and mini skirt!
I’m glad you posted this, because a lot of people don’t think before they have kids!
And it’s a sacrifice of yourself, and it’s life changing.
So live it up NON-MOMMY, I know I will!
When I was 20 and still in college I met this amazing girl that was probably around 25ish at the time and going through a divorce. Through our classes together we talked all the time and got to know each other pretty well. One day I was complaining about not having a boyfriend and she told me, “Amber, your 20s are your only time to be truly selfish. Live it up. Put yourself first and do whatever you want.” Her words really stuck with me, and I may have taken them too literally but, I think she’s right! With kids and a husband you can’t be selfish anymore… you don’t come first. Your kids do.
Hmmm before I have kids I want to go on more cruises, eat good food, spend lots of time sunning on beaches, and who knows what else.
I need to adopt. I feel after the age of 5 everything is okay.
i want to travel the whole world. i want to get a french bulldog. and a great dane. i want to get out of debt. and i want to have a savings account. i want to meet the man of my dreams, get married, and have a nice honeymoon. i want to be a home owner. i want to learn to cook. i want to learn to be cleaner. i want to get over my fear of changing diapers. i want to sleep in as much as possible. and i want to have a personal maid.
My best friend just had a baby and it definitely made me realize just how much work a child is – it’s a forever committment! There’s so much in life to do – I hope I’m able to get it all done before I’m ready for kids!!
I agree with all the lists, the desire to do everything before the kids come. But then have a memery book which reminds you that you have fulfilled yourself, so that at night when you have fed the baby and changed its diaper etc, you can look thru that book and feel better about the ‘sacrifices’ you are making now.