First Time Parents

You instantly get that broody feeling and, according to my much older sister (she'll love me for saying that), the feeling doesn't go away however old you get.

Even though my baby making days are over, it doesn't stop me from wanting one.

What does stop me though is the thought of the sleepless nights and the tonnes of baby paraphernalia clogging up my house. At my age, 8 hours sleep and clean surfaces are non-negotiable.

I wish that I knew what I know now…

I suppose if you knew all of the bad stuff beforehand, you probably wouldn't have a baby. But the positives far outweigh the negatives. As I was explaining to the shell-shocked new parents who looked half paralysed with fear and lack of sleep, you forget all of that.

I now have a redacted memory of my own first few weeks as a new mum - all the bad stuff has been erased, and all I can remember is this very sweet little boy who charmed everyone, including me. The rubber ring I had to sit on for days afterwards doesn't even feature (the less said about that the better).

No-one gets away scot free

Some parents like to crow about how lucky they are that they have babies that barely cry, can be taken anywhere and sleep like, well, a baby, as the misplaced expression goes. I never liked those parents and they were probably lying anyway. Or perhaps their memories got wiped clean like mine. The reality is no-one gets away scot free.

For my friends, I can only say that there will be difficult times ahead but the best advice I was given is that nothing lasts forever, not even the crying of a baby. And what you end up with is this wonderful human being who will make you smile, laugh and yes, cry, for a long time to come.

Now about that rubber ring...

Amanda Coxen, Working Mum and Tinies Director