When you are pregnant people love to give you advice. Although well-meaning it becomes annoying. It seems that some parents feel like they’ve been dealt a rough hand and like to project their misery on you. Listed below are actual pearls of parental wisdom offered to me during pregnancy. Seven months in and I’m still waiting for these to come true… ‘You’ll never be on time for anything’. I’m sorry? Do the maths. One addition to the family = one more person to get dressed and feed. Therefore allow at least double the time especially when you should be aware of how unpredictable babies are. Naturally there are days where nothing goes to plan and if people are unsympathetic to that, it’s their problem.

‘It will be the end of your social life’. That was very much aimed at me rather than some random piece of advice. I love going out and being with people. My partner and I can no longer be spontaneous but it hasn’t stopped us from going out. In fact, I have made so many new amazing mum friends, my social life is richer than ever.

‘You won’t want to go back to work’. Wrong! I can’t wait to go back. I love the time with my daughter, she has taught me so much. However, a few days a week I want to feed another part of my brain. I’m not belittling parenthood at all. It requires a whole different set of skills which are grossly underrated. I just need to achieve something that is not getting Little L to put the toast in her mouth instead of the floor.

‘You will become a baby bore’. I hate the term ‘baby bore’. It brutally separates parents from non-parents. Having a baby is a life-changing event so how do people expect to have a conversation with a new parent without mentioning their child? It is a big part of who they are, so accept it. On the other hand, I went to a party when Little L was 8 weeks old and eventually had to ask people if we could talk about something else other than baby. It was my night off.

‘Your time will never be your own’. Not so much a myth but stating the obvious. Even for someone who hasn’t been around children much, I knew by having a ‘dependent’ means exactly that. Some people may feel constrained by the fact there is always someone else to consider in everything they do. This does take some adjustment but we try where we can. Now, I have a little companion for long walks along the beach, stopping to read my book while my daughter takes a nap. What’s not to love when she wakes up with a huge smile?

In a few months time, when I go back to work, it will be interesting to see if I still feel the same. For now, I’m making the most of what we’ve got.