Adjusting to Parenting

Becoming a parent isn't going to be the easiest task in your lives, dear parents. Going down this road will be as challenging as any other major change in your life. Unfortunately, you will have to change many things that were once a huge part of your life - now you have other priorities, your child and your family.
Career
If you were planning to be a careerist, I am sorry to break it down to you, but you will probably have to forget about this one. Of course, if you can organize your time well, if you are a workaholic and especially if you can work from home, then you can somehow succeed in improving your career, but most parent are not that lucky. They have to work hard to provide for their families and still be present and work on raising their children.
Hobbies
Demanding hobbies that you used to fill your time and something that will relax you are no longer your priority once you become a parent. No one says that you should quit doing what you like, but when your children are still really young, it will be hard to cope with all obligations and still .
Pets
No matter how much you love your pets, they will come second to your child once you become a parent. Don't let this burden you, since there are many tips on how to successfully manage taking care of your baby while having a pet in your home. In addition, if you are lucky enough to live in a house and have a yard, you can choose to keep your pet(s) outside - this is not a bad and selfish solution, and don’t feel guilty. As long as you are a responsible parent towards both your pet and child, you are doing the right thing.
Socializing
You will have to cut going out a little bit, prepare yourself for spending more time at home. This might cause other problems such as depression and boredom, but if you find a way to make parenting a fun and creative process, you can still feel fulfilled. Plus, if you feel entrapped and need some time off, you can always make an agreement with your partner or find a babysitter who can take care of your child during the weekend, then you can always manage to go out at least once in two weeks. As time passes, and your child/children grow, you will cope with these things more easily.
Smoking
Smoking inside a home where there are small children is a NO NO, while pregnant women should try to quit smoking even during their pregnancy. Look at this as a way of saving some money for something that your baby might need, you don’t have to buy a pack or two of cigarettes each day.
Home Décor
You home will be a mess and you will have to make some changes when it comes to organizing your furniture when a baby comes. So, if you care about the organization and decoration of your home, you will be a bit disappointed - but all of this is a cost of becoming a parent. Making room for a nursery is just a first step, but be prepared to find baby things all over your home. Baby clothes, toys and feeding equipment are just some of the necessities, according to experts, and when the little ones start to grow, having a messy home is inevitable. You can even expect that some of your favorite pieces of furniture are going to end up ruined.
Travelling
Travelling won’t be something that you are going to be able to afford when you become a parent, and I am not talking about money… At least, not the way you remember it. This is so primarily because doctors suggest that you shouldn't take your infant too far from home during the first couple of months. Climate changes and long trips aren't something that the little ones can deal with in the same manner as the adults.
Good luck adjusting!